IgA Heavy Light Chains(HLC), S

Test ID: 

703169

CPT code:

83883 (x2)

Synonyms:

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Heavy and Light Chain (HLC) Pairs, κ and λ With Ratio

Hevylite IgA

HLC IgA

IgA κ:λ HLC Ratio

Clinical Use:

For the quantitative measurement of human IgA heavy chain and light chain intact immunoglobulin in serum. The result can be used when monitoring previously diagnosed IgA multiple myeloma patients and is used in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory findings.
Heavy and light chain pair quantitation may be useful for:
1. Distinguishing between broadly migrating monoclonal proteins and restricted polyclonal immunoglobulin patterns on serum protein electrophoresis.
2. Quantitating monoclonal IgA proteins that are difficult to quantitate using serum protein electrophoresis alone.
3. Providing a more specific quantitation of the monoclonal protein than total IgA measurements alone.

Test Information:

Elevated serum concentrations of monoclonal protein are indicative of an underlying abnormality, such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), multiple myeloma, and other lymphoproliferative disorders. International guidelines recommend serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) densitometry to be performed to quantify monoclonal proteins. However, monoclonal IgA proteins can often be obscured by other proteins in the β region of a SPE gel, making quantification inaccurate.
Nephelometry can be used in these instances to measure total IgA, but this will include nontumor immunoglobulin, and measurement of either IgA κ or IgA λ may give a more accurate representation of tumor production. Furthermore, measurement of both IgA κ and IgA λ, calculation of the IgA κ:IgA λ ratio and comparison with values found in normal subjects can give a more sensitive indication of clonality. Use of the IgA κ:IgA λ ratio will also compensate for any changes in plasma volume

Specimen Type:

Serum

Requested Volume: 

0.75 mL

Minimum Volume: 

0.5 mL

Container Type: 

Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube

Patient Preparation: 

Patient should be fasting for eight hours to avoid lipemic sample interference.

Collection:

Separate serum immediately after coagulation (30 minutes) to prevent hemolysis.

Storage Instructions:

Refrigerate

Stability Requirements:

Expected Turnaround Time:

1 to 2 Days

Rejection Criteria

Microbially-contaminated specimen; specimen containing particulate matter; lipemic or hemolyzed specimen