Name |
Cryoglobulin |
Alternative name/Profile |
Cryoglobulins, Cryo, Cryos, Precipitating Immunoglobulin/Immunoglobulins, Vasculitis, Glomerulonephritis, Lymphproliferative disorders, Multiple Myeloma |
Department |
Immunology |
Investigation |
Immunofixation (Sebia, Hydrasys) |
Specimen type |
Clotted blood & plasma (both maintained at 37 degrees Celcius)
|
Sample type |
Serum & EDTA (Blood) (both maintained at 37 degrees Celcius)
|
Sample container & volume |
5ml Red. & 4ml Purple EDTA. |
Frequency of analysis |
Daily Monday to Friday |
Turnaround time |
21 days |
Availability |
Sample must be taken and kept at 37 degrees by trained phlebotomist only. Flask required. Contact phlebotomy (Bleep 738) for details (09:00-14:00 Monday to Friday only). |
Notes |
Useful for:
- Evaluating patients with vasculitis, glomerulonephritis, and lymphoproliferative disorders, in whom symptoms occur following exposure to cold.
Clinical Information:
- Cryoglobulins are immunoglobulins which precipitate in the cold and dissolve again in the heat.
- Due to this phenomenon, patients may experience more severe symptoms following exposure to cold.
- Cryoglobulins can be found in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders, autoimmune diseases and infections.
- There are three types of Cryoglobulin:
Type I: Monoclonal Immunoglobulin
Type II: Mixed (Two or more immunoglobulins, one of which is monoclonal)
Type III: Polyclonal Immunoglobulin
- Type I is associated with MGUS (Monoclonal Gammopathy of Unknown Significance), Macroglobulinaemia and Multiple Myeloma.
- Type II and III can be associated with autoimmune disease and some infections, or may occur in isolation.
Please Note:
- Sample must be taken and kept at 37 degrees by trained phlebotomist only. Flask required. Contact phlebotomy (Bleep 738) for details (09:00-14:00 Monday to Friday only).
- The importance of following the correct procedure for taking and transporting the sample cannot be overemphasised - failure to do so can result in a false negative result.
- Blood must be taken and kept at 370C until it reaches the laboratory.
- Where External Institutions cannot guarantee immediate delivery, samples must be kept at 370C until separated. A minimum of 2 mls of separated sample can then be transported to St. James's Hospital for processing.
- As it can take some Cryoglobulins up to one week to precipitate, the minimum turnaround time for a negative result is 10 days.
- The turnaround time for a positive sample is approximately 23 days.
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Related links |
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Reference range |
0% - No cryoglobulin present.
<1% - <1% cryoglobulin present (Insufficient cryoglobulin present for typing).
1 - 100% - Percentage of cryoglobulin present (Sufficient cryoglobulin present for typing).
Type I - Monoclonal Cryoglobulin.
Type II - Mixed Cryoglobulin (Two or more immunoglobulins present, one of which is monoclonal).
Type III - Polyclonal Immunoglobulin. |
Last updated |
Mon, 19 May 2025 11:30:51 IST |
