Bio/Medical uses
- Core of an essential vitamin called vitamin-B12 (centers of coenzymes called cobalamins) in humans and animals. The body requires a small amount of this mineral in order to conduct its daily growth and maintenance. Cobalt can be taken as a supplement from doctors or in some meats or dairy products.
- Cobalt-57 is a radioactive metal used in some medical tests, such as the Schilling test which is used to see if the body absorbs vitamin B-12 normally. The Schilling test is done by taking at first dose this radioactive isotope by mouth then an hour later a second dose by shot and then over a span of 24 hours, urine samples would be taken and given to a doctors office to see if the vitamin B-12 was absorbed.
- A cobalt isotope, Co-60 is used in radiotherapy by using gamma rays from these cobalt-60 radioisotopes to treat some forms of cancer.