Name |
Immunoglobulin Free Light Chains (Serum) |
Alternative name/Profile |
FKFL Ratio, Free Kappa/Lambda chains, FLC, FKC, ELEC, Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP), Multiple Myeloma (MM), Bence Jones Protein (BJP), IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, GAM, Paraprotein, Monoclonal Gammopathy of Unknown Significance (MGUS) |
Department |
Immunology |
Investigation |
Turbidimetry (Optalite Clinical Chemistry Analyser) |
Specimen type |
Clotted blood
|
Sample type |
Serum |
Sample container & volume |
5ml Red. |
Frequency of analysis |
Daily, Monday to Friday |
Turnaround time |
7 days
|
Availability |
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Notes |
Useful for:
- Detecting patients with a monoclonal gammopathy due to monoclonal free light chains.
- Monitoring patients with a monoclonal gammopathy due to monoclonal free light chains.
Clinical Information:
- A monoclonal production of immunoglobulin is a characteristic of a Monoclonal Gammopathy.
- Monoclonal Gammopathies include Multiple Myeloma (MM), Light Chain Multiple Myeloma, Waldenstrom Macroglobulinaemia, Non-secretory Myeloma, Smouldering Myeloma, Monoclonal Gammopathy of Unknown Significance (MGUS), Primary Systemic Amyloidosis (AL) and Light Chain Deposition Disease.
- Electrophoresis is usually used to detect and monitor monoclonal proteins, however monoclonal free light chains frequently cannot be detected or quantified on electrophoresis.
- This assay measures the amount of free light chains that are unbound to an immunoglobulin heavy chain in the serum.
Please Note:
- Elevated free light chains may also occur due to polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia or impaired renal clearance.
- Where External Institiutions cannot guarantee immediate delivery, samples must be centrifuged, separated and stored at 4oC. Samples can then be transported, as soon as possible, to St. James's Hospital for processing.
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Related links |
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Reference range |
Ratio = 0.26 - 1.65
Free Kappa chains = 3.3 - 19.4 mg/L
Free Lambda chains = 5.7 - 26.3 mg/L
Reference Ranges provided by Sebia 12/2013. |
SJH Patients Only |
No |
Last updated |
Wed, 06 Jan 2021 16:47:45 GMT |
