Cryoglobulins

Description: 
Cryoglobulins are cold precipitable serum proteins. They may develop after an infection such as hepatitis C, in autoimmune disorders and in paraproteinaemia. Samples for cryoglobulins need to be collected appropriately so to ensure that the sample stays warm from the right up to when it is received by the laboratory. Please contact the Immunology laboratory for advice. Samples positive for cryoglobulins are further tested for paraproteins and autoantibody activity. It is useful to test for complement C3 and C4 at the same time as cryoglobulins often consume complement.
Related condition or disease: 
Small vessel vasculitis
Reference range: 

Negative

Department: 
Diagnostic Immunology and Allergy Department
Location: 
King's College Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
Clotted (Gold top vacutainer) and EDTA plasma
Turnaround time: 
8 working days
Special sample instructions: 

All tests are compromised by prolonged transit times. For this reason, date of bleed and date of postage must be provided with each request.

Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
A warm flask must be collected from the laboroatory before the sample is collected. Sample must be taken ensuring sample stays warm and directly transferred to a flask between 37-41 degrees C and taken straight to the laboratory.
Time limit for extra tests: 
*NO* tests can be added at any time
Contacts:
Diagnostic Immunology and Allergy Department at King's College Hospital
General Enquiry : 020 3299 8752 / 020 3299 1171
King's College Hospital
Bessemer Wing - 1st Floor
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RS
For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Diagnostic Immunology Laboratory at King's

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Last updated: 23/05/2023