Cobalt, Hair — Substance Content
A trace-element test that measures the amount of cobalt in a hair sample, mainly used to help assess long-term cobalt exposure or nutritional status.
["Hair cobalt testing can provide information about long-term cobalt exposure, but results may be affected by external contamination and should be interpreted with other clinical findings."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 50845-7
- Short code
- Cobalt Hair-sCnt
- Synonyms
- Cobalt Hair-sCnt
- Category
- liver
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 7
- Ref high
- 56
- Critical range
- — – 500 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 84484
- SNOMED
- 302773008
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
This test measures cobalt in hair. Cobalt is a trace element that is part of vitamin B12 and is also present in the environment, foods, medications, and some industrial products.
Why might I need this test?
A clinician may order this test when there is concern about long-term cobalt exposure, exposure to contaminated food or water, certain medications or supplements, or when evaluating nutritional status.
How is the test performed?
A small sample of hair is collected and sent to a laboratory for trace-element analysis. The laboratory measures the amount of cobalt in the hair and reports the result along with any applicable interpretation.
How do I prepare for the test?
Follow the laboratory's collection instructions carefully. Hair should generally be clean and untreated if instructed, and the collection method and amount of hair may vary by laboratory.
Reference range
Adult males: 7-56 U/L; Adult females: 7-43 U/LN/A
No special preparation required. Avoid fatty meals before the test if possible.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
A higher-than-expected hair cobalt result may suggest increased cobalt exposure, although environmental contamination, hair treatments, and laboratory factors can also affect the result. A lower result may be associated with low cobalt or vitamin B12 status, but hair testing alone is not usually used to diagnose nutritional deficiency. Results should be interpreted by a healthcare professional alongside symptoms, exposure history, diet, medications, and other tests.
Short name
Hair Cobalt
Frequently asked questions
Does a hair cobalt test diagnose cobalt poisoning?
Can hair products affect the result?
Is hair cobalt testing the same as a vitamin B12 test?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy