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HelpTest Code IGM Immunoglobulin M (IgM)
Useful For
Quantitative immunoglobulins are useful for detecting or monitoring of monoclonal gammopathies and immune deficiencies.
Synonyms/Keywords
Quantitative Immunoglobulin in serum - IgM, Immunoglobulin M - quantitative; IgM
Specimen Requirements
| Fasting Required | Specimen Type | Preferred Container/Tube | Acceptable Container/Tube | Specimen Volume | Specimen Minimum Volume (allows for 1 repeat) |
Pediatric Minimum Volume (no repeat) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Serum | Red Top Tube (RTT) | Serum Separator Tube (SST) | 0.5 mL | 0.4 mL | 0.3 mL |
Collection/Processing Instructions
Separate serum from cells within 2 hours of collection.
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerate | 7 days |
| Frozen | 3 months |
Rejection Criteria
Plasma samples
Test Information
This test is only for measurement of IgM. Immunoglobulins can also be ordered together as test code GAM (test includes IgG, IgA, IgM).
Interpretations
Quantitative immunoglobulins are useful for detecting or monitoring of monoclonal gammopathies and immune deficiencies. Increased serum immunoglobulin concentrations occur due to polyclonal or oligoclonal immunoglobulin proliferation in hepatic disease (hepatitis, liver cirrhosis), connective tissue diseases, acute and chronic infections, as well as in the cord blood of neonates with intra uterine and perinatal infections. Elevations of IgG, IgA, or IgM may occur in monoclonal gammopathies such as multiple myeloma (IgG, IgA), macroglobulinemia (IgM), primary systemic amyloidosis, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and related disorders.
Decreased levels are found in patients with primary or secondary immune deficiencies.
Immunoglobulin quantitation is used to monitor the size of a monoclonal protein that is contained in a background of polyclonal immunoglobulins; however, changes in the immunoglobulin quantitation may reflect changes in the background immunoglobulins.
Reference Range Information
| Performing Location | Reference Range |
|---|---|
| Marshfield | See table Serum Immunoglobulin Reference Ranges |
Marshfield Labs Performing Department
Marshfield Labs Immunodiagnostics
Performing Information
| Performing Location | Day(s) Test Performed | Analytical Time | Methodology/Instrumentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshfield | Monday through Friday | 6-8 hours | Turbidimetric method/The Binding Site Optilite analyzer |
CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82784 |
Outreach CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82784 |
Ordering Applications
| Ordering Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Cerner | Immunoglobulin M (IgM) |
| COM | Prot.-Immunoglobulin IgM only |