Cryoglobulins

• Overview:

• What is this test?

  This laboratory test is performed on a blood sample to detect and measure the quantity of cryoglobulins present in the blood. Cryoglobulins are circulating proteins that clump together when exposed to cold temperatures. Cryoglobulins might hinder the blood flow to your joints, muscles, and organs.

   

  Why is this test performed?

  This test is performed:

• To detect the presence and quantity of cryoglobulins
• To determine the potential cause of cryoglobulinemia
• To diagnose abnormal protein production

• Sample collection: Blood sample is collected from a vein by a healthcare professional and stored in a sterilized pre-heated tube
• The sample is sent to laboratory for further analysis.

1. What are cryoglobulins?

Cryoglobulins are abnormal immunoglobulins that lump together (precipitate) at cold temperature (4 °C) and dissolve at normal temperature (37 °C).

2. What are the causes of cryoglobulinemia?

• Raynaud’s disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Sjogren syndrome
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Vasculitis
• Multiple myeloma.

3. How to find the cause of cryoglobulinemia?

If your cryoglobulins test is positive, your doctor might perform the following tests to determine the cause:

• Protein electrophoresis
• Hepatitis C
• Antinuclear antibody
• Rheumatoid factor
• Mono test.

4. What are the risks of this test?

Collecting blood from a vein is a very easy procedure and pose only minimum risk, including:

• Bruising
• Bleeding
• Infection

5. How to prepare for this test?

• Fast for 8 hours (drink water only)
• Inform your doctor about the use of all medicine
• Wear a half-sleeved shirt to allow easy blood sample collection.

• Negative
• Positive

• Interpretation of test results:
• Negative: A negative test result means that no cryoglobulins were detected in the blood. A healthy person usually has little to no cryoglobulins.
• Positive: A positive test result means that cryoglobulins were detected in the blood that precipitates when exposed to cold temperature. Further testing may be required to find the cause of cryoglobulinemia.

You should get tested if you have the following symptoms:

1. Bruising
2. Rashes
3. Joint pain
4. Weakness
5. Skin blueness
6. Numbness or tingling
7. Coldness in the finger