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Test ID: Serum free light chains (kappa, lambda)
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Serum free light chains (kappa, lambda)
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Serum free light chains (kappa, lambda)
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Useful For
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The investigation, diagnosis and monitoring of gammopathies including MGUS, multiple myeloma, Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, amyloidosis, and light chain deposition disease.
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Method name and description
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Serum kappa and lambda free light chains are measured by immunotubidimetry. Specific antibodies are utilised that bind to analyte epitopes that are only exposed when the light chain is in the free form.
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Clinical information
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An abnormal serum free light chain pattern can support the presence of a pathological, potentially malignant, process such as multiple myeloma. This can provide diagnostic and prognostic information, and is a useful way of monitoring the disease.
Abnormal serum free light chain results can be caused by a variety of conditions such as renal impairment, infection, inflammation and autoimmune disease. It is therefore important to interpret results in the appropriate clinical context.
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Aliases
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Free light chains
FLC
SFLC
Kappa
Kappa FLC
Kappa free light chain
Lambda
Lambda FLC
Lambda free light chain
Light Chains
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Specimen type / Specimen volume / Specimen container
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Specimen type: Blood (serum)
Specimen Volume: 1.5 mL serum
Specimen container: gel tube (yellow top) or red top tube
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Collection instructions / Special Precautions / Timing of collection
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Blood samples should be collected by venipuncture, allowed to clot naturally and the serum separated as soon as possible to prevent hemolysis.
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Relevant clinical information to be provided
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Suspected or known pathology
Clinical signs and symptoms
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Storage and transport instructions
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Blood samples can be transported at ambiant temperature as quickly as possible.
Serum samples are stable for up to 21 days at 2-8°C.
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Specimen Rejection Criteria
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Insufficient samples.
Microbially contaminated, hemolyzed and highly lipemic serum and samples containing particulate matter should not be used.
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Biological reference intervals and clinical decision values
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Free Kappa: 3.3 – 19.4 mg/L
Free Lambda: 5.7 – 26.3 mg/L
Kappa/Lambda ratio: 0.26 – 1.65
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Factors affecting test performance and result interpretation
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A variety of factors can impact serum free light chain results including renal impairment, infection, inflammation and autoimmune disease.
High concentrations of serum free light chains can sometimes cause unpredictable and paradoxically low results (antigen excess). Measurements should always be interpreted in the clinical context and unexpected results may warrant further laboratory investigations.
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Turnaround time / Days and times test performed / Specimen retention time
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Turnaround time: 5 working days.
Days and times test performed: Once a week.
Specimen retention time: 30 days.
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