Elevated urinary cobalt concentrations identified in routine doping controls can originate from vitamin B12.

The transition metal cobalt is categorized as an essential trace mineral. In addition, cobalt salts have been reported as constituents of dietary supplements administered orally at approximately 1 mg/day.[1] Ionic cobalt (Co SP 2+ sp ) acts as an efficient erythropoiesis stimulating agent due to its hypoxia-inducible factor-activating effects. Pharmacokinetics of inorganic cobalt and a vitamin B12 supplement in the thoroughbred horse: Differentiating cobalt abuse from supplementation. [Extracted from the article]