Cryoglobulins

Background:

Identification of cryoglobulinaemia in patients presenting with Meltzer's triad (purpura, arthralgia and weakness).

Flasks containing tubes and sand at 37 °C are available from the Biochemistry laboratory, along with instructions for collection.

Please discuss with Duty Biochemist at least 24 hours prior to sampling

Samples must be received by the laboratory at 37 °C within 30 minutes of venesection, otherwise they will be rejected.

If specimens are allowed to cool prior to analysis, premature precipitation of cryoglobulins decreases the yield for subsequent identification, causing false negative results. Thus samples must be maintained at 37 °C until they reach the laboratory.

Positive samples will be referred for further characterisation.

Other Comments:

For more information, please see the following: Cryoglobulins - Lab Tests Online