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HelpTest Code COWB Cobalt, Blood
Ordering Guidance
This test should not be ordered to assess vitamin B12 activity. For that assessment see B12 / Vitamin B12 Assay, Serum or ACASM / Pernicious Anemia Cascade, Serum.
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 Required
Container/Tube: Royal blue top (EDTA) Vacutainer plastic trace element blood collection tube
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. See Metals Analysis Specimen Collection and Transport for complete instructions
2. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.
Useful For
Monitoring exposure to cobalt using whole blood specimens
Monitoring metallic prosthetic implant wear
This test is not useful for assessment of vitamin B12 activity.
Special Instructions
Reporting Name
Cobalt, BSpecimen Type
Whole bloodSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole blood | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Ambient | 28 days | ||
| Frozen | 28 days |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
| Microtainer | Reject |
Reference Values
0-17 years: Not established
≥18 years: <1.0 ng/mL
Day(s) Performed
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
Report Available
1 to 4 daysSpecimen Retention Time
14 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
83018
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| COWB | Cobalt, B | 5625-9 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 60355 | Cobalt, B | 5625-9 |