Ordering Guidance

This test should only be used in individuals with metallic prosthetic implants. The significance of cobalt concentrations in synovial fluid in patients without implants is unknown.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation: High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to interfere with most inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry-based metal tests. If either gadolinium- or iodine-containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for at least 96 hours.

Supplies:

-Metal Free EDTA 3 mL Tube (T989)

-Metal Free B-D Tube (EDTA), 6 mL (T183)

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Royal blue-top BD vacutainer with EDTA blood collection tube (3 mL) (T989) (BD catalog no. 367777)

Acceptable: Royal blue-top BD vacutainer with EDTA blood collection tube (6mL) (BD Catalog no. 368381) (T183)

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions: See Metals Analysis Specimen Collection and Transport for complete instructions.

Additional Information: Cobalt is present in the black rubber plunger seals found in most disposable syringes. As a result, synovial fluid should not be collected in these devices as contamination may occur.