Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
Cryoglobulins are immunoglobulins which precipitate when cooled below 37°C. They are associated with a wide spectrum of disorders. Type I cryoglobulins are monoclonal proteins and are associated with lymphoid malignancies including Myeloma and Waldenstroms Macroglobulinaemia. Type II are usually monoclonal and found in infections (especially Hepatitis C Virus) and connective tissue diseases. Type III are usually polyclonal and again are found with infections and connective tissue disease.
Specimen container paediatric:
Serum-Plain tube
Specimen container adult:
Serum-Plain tube
Minimum volume paediatric:
6 ml
Minimum volume adult:
6 ml
Special requirements:
The blood sample should be taken into prewarmed blood tubes and placed into a flask filled with warmed sand. Please contact the laboratory as per instructions above (Availability) for the prewarmed flask and blood tubes. The sample should be returned to the laboratory within 20 minutes of being taken and before 15:00 for processing
Freq analysis:
As required
Add on test:
Cannot be added on due to specific sample requirements
Interpretation:
Cryoglobulins are either detected or not detected. If a cryoglobulin is detected the sample will then have immunofixation carried out to determine cryoglobulin type and isotype and reported as such
Reference ranges:
Detected or not detected
Other info:
Cryoglobulin measurement is dependent on the patient’s blood sample remaining at 37°C until the serum has been separated. If the sample does not remain at 37°C then it will not be processed.
The serum must be incubated at 4°C in a fridge for at least 72 hours to determine the presence of a cryoglobulin, this is therefore the minimum turnaround time for this assay