Cobalt, Serum/Plasma

Test Code

COBALT

Quest Code

345

CPT Codes
83018

Preferred Specimen

1.0 mL serum collected in a no additive (royal blue-top) tube

Minimum Volume

0.4 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in: EDTA (royal blue-top) tube

Instructions

Collect in a no additive (royal blue-top) tube for serum or an EDTA (royal blue-top) tube for plasma. Then pour into a trace metal-free plastic vial.

Transport Container

Trace metal-free plastic vial

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 10 days
Refrigerated: 10 days
Frozen: 10 days

Methodology
Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS)

FDA Status
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Set up: Tues-Sat (evening shifts); Report available: Same day

Reference Range

0.1-0.4 mcg/L

Clinical Significance

Cobalt is essential for humans only as an integral part
of Vitamin B12 (cobalamin). No other function for cobalt
in the human body is known. This provides for normal
reference ranges. Cobalt is found in metal alloys that
are very hard, have high melting points, and are
resistant to oxidation. Occupational exposure occurs
during the production and machining of these metal alloys
and has led to acute and chronic medical conditions.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute

14225 Newbrook Drive

Chantilly, VA 20153

Last Updated: August 27, 2019

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.