Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

Two (2) 1-2 mL aliquots in plain red-top (non-serum separator) tubes.

Two (2) 6 mL plain red-top (nonserum separator) tubes are required. Refer to special Specimen Processing Instructions (below) before collecting specimen for this test.

Fasting specimen preferred.

Incubate tubes at 37°C (water bath/dry incubator) for 60 minutes before centrifuging. Centrifuge and take off serum into two (2) plain red-top (nonserum separator) tubes. Label tubes as serum. 

Alternate Processing Procedure if waterbath/dry incubator not available: Sandwich specimens between two phlebotomy heat packs (activate them first). Place heat packs with specimens into a styrofoam container and incubate 60 minutes (for specimen to clot). Centrifuge and take off serum into two (2) plain red-top (nonserum separator) tubes. Label take off tubes as serum. 

If special processing requirements are unable to be met, please refer patient to GMC Danville, GWV, GBH or GSACH campus for collection.

Room temperature.

Sample must be received by the Receiving and Processing Department (RAP) in Danville within 24 hours of processing. See specimen processing instructions

Improper processing.

None detected.

Test progresses to a % cryocrit and immunofixation (IFES) at an additional charge if a cryoglobulin is detected.

Qualitative screening for a cryoprecipitate. If a cryoprecipitate is detected a % cryocrit and immunofixation are performed.

CRYOSC

Cryoglobulins are immunoglobulins that precipitate out of solution below core body temperatures. In some instances, cryoglobulinemia may coexist with other related but usually distinct forms of cold hypersensitivity such as Raynaud's phenomenon or cold agglutinin activity.