Where Is Cobalt Found In The Body?

Cobalt is an important trace element and is found mostly in bones, heart, pancreas, kidneys, liver, and skeletal muscle. Most of the Co in the body is found in the structure of vitamin B₁₂. Cobalt is a very important metal for B₁₂, which takes part in various methyl transfer reactions.

Where is cobalt present in the human body?

In the human body this element is present in amounts from 1 to 2 mg: we can find it in the heart, liver, kidney, and spleen, and considerably smaller quantities in the pancreas, brain, and serum [10, 11]. Cobalt is a necessary component of vitamin B¹² (hydroxocobalamin) and a fundamental coenzyme of cell mitosis.

How is cobalt used in the body?

Cobalt is a component of vitamin B12, which supports the production of red blood cells. Very small amounts are needed for animals and humans to stay healthy. Cobalt poisoning can occur when you are exposed to large amounts of it.

What foods are high in cobalt?

Some of the dietary sources that are abundant in cobalt include red meat, milk, fish, cabbage, figs and turnips.

Does cobalt accumulate in the body?

Cobalt does not accumulate in the organism and is rapidly excreted in urine. The concentration of cobalt in urine or in blood is proposed as a biomarker of recent exposure to soluble cobalt species.

Does vitamin B12 have cobalt?

Cobalt is one of the components of vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin.

How does the body get rid of cobalt?

One method of treating ASR Hip Replacement patients with high levels of chromium and cobalt in their blood is chelation therapy. The process involves the administration of chelating agents—the most common of which is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)—to remove the poisonous metals from the body.

How long does cobalt stay in the body?

Elevated blood levels of cobalt and chromium ions can persist for at least 1 year after revision, especially in patients with high levels of exposure.

What happens if you get too much cobalt?

Systemic toxic effects from excessive levels of cobalt include peripheral neuropathy, sensorineural hearing loss, vision loss, cognitive decline, cardiomyopathy, hypothyroidism, weakness, fatigue and polycythemia.

What are the symptoms of too much cobalt?

Chronic absorption of large amounts of cobalt may lead to serious health complications. Potential clinical manifestations include fatigue, cardiomyopathy, cognitive dysfunction, hearing loss, hypothyroidism, neuropathy, polycythemia, tinnitus, and vision loss.

What diseases can cobalt cause?

* Cobalt may cause an asthma-like allergy. Future exposure can cause asthma attacks with shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and/or chest tightness. * Cobalt may affect the heart, thyroid, liver and kidneys. * Repeated exposure to Cobalt dust can cause scarring of the lungs (fibrosis) even if no symptoms are noticed.

What foods to avoid if you have a cobalt allergy?

What causes cobalt allergy?

• Jewellery [see Jewellery allergy]
• Metal household items (eg, cutlery, zippers, coins, keys,)
• Cosmetics – especially eye shadow, blushers, and compact powders [see Contact reactions to cosmetics]
• Leather.
• Clothing and shoes [see Textile contact dermatitis, Shoe contact dermatitis]
• Hair dye.

Which disease is caused by deficiency of cobalt?

Anemia is a main cause of a cobalt and vitamin B-12 deficiency. This is the case with pernicious anemia. Symptoms can include numbness, severe tiredness (fatigue), and tingling in your hands and feet. Over time, the condition also leads to decreased nerve function.

What deficiency causes itchy hands?

Dermatitis includes dry, itchy and reddening skin which can be a sign of zinc, niacin and essential fatty acid (such as omega 3s) deficiency. You can isolate a niacin deficiency, as the skin normally reacts to sunlight causing red lesions.

Can I take B12 if im allergic to cobalt?

Yes, people who are allergic to cobalt will have an allergic reaction to vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin. Cobalamin contains cobalt atoms. However, this allergy is rare.

What deficiency causes skin rashes?

Vitamin B6 deficiency is one cause of a red, itchy rash called seborrheic dermatitis. The rash can appear on your scalp, face, neck and upper chest. It’s known for its oily, flaky appearance and may cause swelling or white patches ( 9 ).

Is there a blood test for cobalt?

Blood cobalt levels can be used in the assessment of occupational exposure or toxic ingestion. Symptoms associated with cobalt toxicity vary based on route of exposure and may include cardiomyopathy, allergic dermatitis, pulmonary fibrosis, cough and dyspnea.

How does cobalt effect the brain?

In summary, cobalt exposure induces alterations in the brain transcriptome, more specifically, the choroid plexus, which is in direct contact with neurotoxicants at the blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier.

Can zinc reduce cobalt?

Thus zinc instantly reduces to metal the ions of cadmium, thallium and tin, but not those of chromium, iron, nickel, and cobalt, although chromium and iron are close to cadmium in the potential series, and nickel and cobalt lie below both thallium and cadmium.

How common is cobalt poisoning?

Systemic cobalt toxicity post-arthroplasty is extremely rare. The few known fatal cases of cobalt toxicity appear to be a result of replacing shattered ceramic heads with metal-on-metal or metal-on-polyethylene implants.

What does cobalt in urine mean?

Urine cobalt levels generally do not exceed 1.0 µg/L in the general population and are rarely used in the management of chronic exposure. Symptoms associated with cobalt toxicity vary based upon route of exposure and may include cardiomyopathy, allergic dermatitis, pulmonary fibrosis, cough and dyspnea.