Cobalt, Serum or Plasma

Casandra

Casandra Test Code AR68996Version 1 (DRAFT)

Performing Lab

Lab ARUP LaboratoriesLab Test ID 0025037CPT Code 83018

Cobalt, Serum or Plasma

Also known as: COBALT S

Clinical Use

Order Test

Use

Serum cobalt levels are used to assess potential occupational exposure or toxic ingestion. Elevated cobalt concentrations may result from contamination during sample collection or due to underlying medical conditions, such as metal-on-metal hip replacements. Symptoms of cobalt toxicity can vary depending on exposure route, including cardiomyopathy and pulmonary issues. Proper collection techniques can help verify true levels, aiding in accurate assessment of exposure risks or medical conditions associated with elevated cobalt levels.

Special Instructions

Patients should be advised to discontinue nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, and nonessential medications before collection, as they might interfere with the test results. The test should be performed using a royal blue top tube, and the serum or plasma should be transferred to an ARUP Trace Element-Free Transport Tube as soon as possible.

Limitations

Elevated results may be due to skin or collection-related contamination, including the use of a noncertified metal-free collection/transport tube. It is recommended to confirm elevated cobalt levels with a second specimen collected in a certified metal-free tube. Additionally, serum cobalt levels can be significantly higher in patients with metal-on-metal hip replacements, even if they are asymptomatic.

Test Details

New York Approved

Methodology

Mass Spectrometry

Biomarkers

Cobalt

Analyte

Cobalt Level • Concentration / Level • Quantitative (Continuous) (e.g., copies/mL, % expression)

LOINC Codes

Result Codes

5627-5

Result Turnaround Time

1-3 days

Specimen

Serum

Volume

2 mL

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Container

Royal blue (no additive), royal blue (K2EDTA), or royal blue (NaHep)

Collection Instructions

Collect in a specified royal blue top tube. Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection and transfer to an ARUP Trace Element-Free Transport Tube.

Patient Preparation

Patients should discontinue nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, and nonessential over-the-counter medications prior to test, following physician advice.