Cobalt, Specimen — Mass Concentration
Measures the amount of cobalt in a patient specimen to help evaluate possible exposure or contamination.
["An elevated cobalt level may indicate increased exposure, though results must be interpreted with exposure history and other findings."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 9691-7
- Short code
- Cobalt Spec-mCnc
- Synonyms
- Cobalt Spec-mCnc
- 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 the concentration of cobalt in a body specimen. Cobalt is a trace element that can enter the body through food, environmental exposure, certain industrial work, or medical devices.
Why might I need this test?
The test may be ordered to assess a suspected cobalt exposure, investigate symptoms associated with occupational or environmental contact, or evaluate possible release of cobalt from an implanted medical device.
How is the test performed?
A laboratory receives the specimen specified by your healthcare provider and measures its cobalt concentration using an appropriate analytical method. The abbreviated test code does not clearly identify the specimen type or measurement method.
How do I prepare for the test?
Preparation depends on the specimen and test method. Follow your healthcare provider or laboratory's instructions, and tell the laboratory if you have recently had cobalt exposure, taken a cobalt-containing supplement, or received an implant containing cobalt.
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 cobalt concentration may reflect recent or ongoing exposure, supplement use, occupational contact, or corrosion of a cobalt-containing medical implant. Results should be interpreted with symptoms, exposure history, timing of the specimen collection, and other laboratory findings because recent exposure can affect levels.
Short name
Cobalt Mass Concentration
Frequently asked questions
What does an elevated cobalt level mean?
Which specimen is used for this test?
Do I need to avoid cobalt before testing?
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