Immunoglobulin M

Diagnostic Use

Quantitative analysis of IgM is useful for:

•Detection and monitoring of immunodeficiency
•Monitoring of IgM monoclonal gammopathies

Department

Protein Lab

Delphic Registration Code

PIGM

Turnaround Time

3 days

Test Code

3268

Specimen Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Serum (Red Cap)

Acceptable

• SST II (Gold Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Gel (Green Cap)
• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

0.5

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

0.25

No of Samples Required

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Serum (Red Cap)

Acceptable

• SST II (Gold Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Gel (Green Cap)
• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

0.25

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

0.25

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Minimum Volume (ml)

0.25

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Interpretation

Quantitative analysis does not distinguish between monoclonal, oligoclonal, or polyclonal elevation. Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) and Immunofixation should be used to determine if any increase is due to the presence of a monoclonal band.

A monoclonal elevation of IgM is indicative of gammopathies such as:
•Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia
•Multiple myeloma
•Monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS)
•Other related disorders.

Oligoclonal or polyclonal elevation of IgM may arise from:
•Proliferative liver diseases (e.g. Hepatitis, cirrhosis)
•Connective tissue diseases
•Infections, acute and chronic.

Immunoglobulin levels may also be elevated if the blood is extracted from the umbilical cord of neonates where there has been an intrauterine or perinatal infection.

IgM deficiencies may be due to:
•Primary or secondary immunodeficiency.
•immunosuppression due to the presence of a plasma cell dyscrasia.

Reference Intervals

Immunoglobulin M (IgM)	0 to < 15 Days	0.1 – 0.4
	15 Days to < 13 Weeks	0.1 – 0.7
	13 Weeks to < 1 Year	0.2 – 0.9
	1 to < 19 Years	0.4 – 1.9
	Adult	0.4 – 2.3

Test Method

Nephelometric immunoassay on Siemens BNII.

Non-Funded Test Cost

$12.92 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

3268

Contact Information

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