Cobalt
Other name(s):
cobalamin, cyanocobalamin, hydroxyocobalamin
General description
Cobalt is a hard gray metal element. It’s part of vitamin B-12. This vitamin is essential
for making red blood cells. It also maintains the nervous system.
Cobalt is only in the body as part of vitamin B-12. It’s needed for making red blood
cells (erythropoiesis).
Cobalt has some of the same jobs as manganese and zinc. It can replace manganese in
activating several enzymes. These are called biochemical reaction activators. It can
also replace zinc in some biochemical reactions.
Cobalt is also part of the biotin-dependent Krebs-cycle. This is the process that
the body uses to break down sugars into energy.
Medically valid uses
As part of B-12, cobalt prevents pernicious anemia. It’s also needed to keep the nervous
system working well.
Unsubstantiated claims
There are no claims based upon cobalt as a single element.
Recommended intake
As part of supplements, cobalt is measured in micrograms (mcg). The average adult
intake of cobalt is 5–8 mcg per day. A safe Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for
cobalt hasn’t been set yet.
Trace amounts of cobalt are found in most foods. Foods high in vitamin B-12 are the
only source of cobalt used by the body.
It’s best to take cobalt in vitamin B-12.
If you have a cobalt deficiency, this also means you have a vitamin B-12 deficiency.
Anemia is a main cause of a cobalt deficiency. This is the case with pernicious anemia.
Symptoms can include numbness, fatigue and tingling in your hand and feet. Over time,
the condition also leads to decreased nerve function.
Side effects, toxicity, and interactions
Cobalt is toxic to the heart muscle. It can cause heart muscle disease (toxic cardiomyopathy)
after too much exposure.
An increase in red blood cells (polycythemia) may be a symptom of too much cobalt.
Not treating this issue can cause congestive heart failure.
Too much intake of cobalt may cause enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter). It
can also reduce the activity of the thyroid. Cobalt may also increase blood sugar
levels.
Since cobalt is a key part of vitamin B-12, people with Leber's syndrome, a rare eye
condition, should not take it without talking to their healthcare providers. Some
forms of vitamin B-12 may lead to vision loss in people with this issue.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should talk to their healthcare providers
before taking any supplements.
There are no known food or medicine interactions with cobalt.
There have been reports of high levels of cobalt in people who had hip replacements
that used a metal-on-metal devices. Symptoms of a higher level of cobalt in blood
are:
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Fatigue
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Weakness
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Peripheral neuropathy
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Hearing loss
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Visual loss
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Cognitive decline
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Cardiomyopathy
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Hypothyroidism