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HelpTest Code COU Cobalt, 24 Hour, Urine
Reporting Name
Cobalt, 24 Hr, UPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Useful For
Detecting cobalt exposure
Monitoring metallic prosthetic implant wear
This test is not useful to assess vitamin B12 activity.
Method Name
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Ordering Guidance
High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to interfere with most metals tests. If either gadolinium- or iodine-containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 96 hours.
Necessary Information
24-Hour volume (in milliliters) is required.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Urine Tubes, 10 mL (T068)
Collection Container/Tube: Clean, plastic urine container with no metal cap or glued insert
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic, 10-mL urine tube or clean, plastic aliquot container with no metal cap or glued insert
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect urine for 24 hours.
2. Refrigerate specimen within 4 hours of completion of 24-hour collection.
3. See Metals Analysis Specimen Collection and Transport for complete instructions.
Additional Information: See Urine Preservatives-Collection and Transportation for 24-Hour Urine Specimens for multiple collections.
Specimen Type
UrineSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Ambient | 28 days | ||
| Frozen | 28 days |
Reject Due To
All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.Reference Values
0-17 years: Not established
≥18 years: 0.2-3.5 mcg/24 hours
Interpretation
Concentrations of 2.0 mcg/specimen or more indicate excess exposure. There are no Occupational Safety and Health Administration blood or urine criteria for occupational exposure to cobalt.
Prosthesis wear is known to result in increased circulating concentration of metal ions. In a patient with a cobalt-based implant, modest increase (2-4 mcg/specimen) in urine cobalt concentration is likely to be associated with a prosthetic device in good condition. Excessive exposure is indicated when urine cobalt concentration is above 5 mcg/specimen, consistent with prosthesis wear. Urine concentrations above 20 mcg/specimen in a patient with a cobalt-based implant suggest significant prosthesis wear. Increased urine trace element concentrations in the absence of corroborating clinical information do not independently predict prosthesis wear or failure.
Day(s) Performed
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
Report Available
1 to 4 daysTest Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
83018
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| COU | Cobalt, 24 Hr, U | 29916-4 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 80083 | Cobalt, 24 Hr, U | 29916-4 |
| TM75 | Collection Duration | 13362-9 |
| VL64 | Urine Volume | 3167-4 |