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Cobalt, Serum

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB5981, Beaker: XCO, Mayo: COS

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to interfere with most metal tests. If either gadolinium- or iodine-containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 96 hours.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One Royal Blue-top tube with no additive.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Allow the specimen to clot for 30 minutes. Centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum a metal free transport tube and maintain specimen at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 0.5 mL serum or plasma, at room temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F). (Minimum: 0.3 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Tubes that are not metal-free.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Allow the specimens to clot for 30 minutes. Centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to a metal free transport tube and maintain specimen at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Transport: 0.5 mL serum, at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum: 0.3 mL) 

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 28 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 28 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 28 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester, MN.

Performed

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday.
Results available in 1-4 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry.

Interpretation

Serum cobalt levels can be used in the assessment of occupational exposure or toxic ingestion and is the preferred specimen type for evaluating metal ion release from metal-on-metal joint arthroplasty. Serum cobalt levels may be increased in asymptomatic patients with metal-on-metal prosthetics and should be considered in the context of the overall clinical scenario. Symptoms associated with cobalt toxicity vary based on route of exposure, and may include cardiomyopathy, allergic dermatitis, pulmonary fibrosis, cough and dyspnea.

Clinical Utility

Serum or plasma cobalt testing is intended to detect potentially toxic exposure.

CPT Codes

83018

Contacts

Last Updated

12/21/2023