Test Details
Methodology
Turbidimetric
Result Turnaround Time
4 - 6 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Use
For the quantitative measurement of human IgG heavy chain and light chain intact immunoglobulin in serum. The IgG HLC ratio can be used when monitoring previously diagnosed IgG multiple myeloma in conjunction with other laboratory tests and clinical evaluations.
Heavy and light chain pair quantitation may be useful for:
1. Distinguishing between broadly migrating monoclonal proteins and restricted polyclonal immunoglobulin patterns on serum protein electrophoresis.
2. Quantitating monoclonal IgG proteins that are difficult to quantitate using serum protein electrophoresis alone.
3. Providing a more specific quantitation of the monoclonal protein than total IgG measurements alone.
Limitations
Decisions on patient evaluation and management must not be given on the basis of IgG κ, IgG λ, or IgG κ:IgG λ ratio measurements alone. Clinical history and other laboratory findings must be taken into account.
Heavy and light chain (HLC) quantitation should be used as a complementary method to serum protein electrophoresis.
The effect of therapeutic drugs on the measurement of IgG κ and IgG λ by this assay has not been evaluated.
Small increases in the concentrations of monoclonal IgG proteins may not result in an altered HLC pair ratio.
For initial detection of monoclonal proteins, see:
• Immunofixation (IFE), Serum and Protein Electrophoresis, Serum [001495]
• Immunofixation (IFE) and Protein Electrophoresis, 24-Hour Urine [003467]
Custom Additional Information
Elevated serum concentrations of monoclonal protein are indicative of an underlying abnormality, such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), multiple myeloma, and other lymphoproliferative disorders. International guidelines recommend serum protein electrophoresis or nephelometric immunoglobulin quantification as tools to monitor patients' disease1 (alongside other tests including flow cytometry and serum free light chain analysis).2 Total IgG nephelometric assays will include nontumor immunoglobulin, and measurement of either IgG κ or IgG λ may give a more accurate representation of tumor production.
Furthermore, measurement of both IgG κ and IgG λ, calculation of the IgG κ:IgG λ ratio, and comparison with values found in normal subjects can give a more sensitive indication of clonality.3-5 Additionally, changes in the IgG κ:IgG λ ratio and its normalization when compared to a normal ratio range should assist in monitoring patients' disease. Use of the IgG κ:IgG λ ratio will also compensate for any changes in plasma volume and correct for half life variations due to receptor saturation.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Serum
Volume
0.75 mL
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Container
Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube
Collection Instructions
Separate serum immediately after coagulation (30 minutes) to prevent hemolysis.
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 14 days |
Refrigerated | 14 days |
Frozen | 14 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x3 |
Reference Range
• IgG κ (g/L): 4.03−9.78
• IgG λ (g/L): 1.97−5.71
• IgG κ:IgG λ ratio: 0.98−2.75
An elevated IgG heavy and light chain (HLC) pair ratio suggests a clonal proliferation of an IgG κ clone of plasma cells.
A low IgG HLC pair ratio suggests a clonal proliferation of an IgG λ clone of plasma cells.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate.
Causes for Rejection
Microbially-contaminated specimen; specimen containing particulate matter; lipemic or hemolyzed specimen
Footnotes
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 123550 | IgG Heavy Light Chains(HLC), S | 123534 | IgG Kappa, S | g/L | 74862-4 | |
| 123550 | IgG Heavy Light Chains(HLC), S | 123535 | IgG Lambda, S | g/L | 74863-2 | |
| 123550 | IgG Heavy Light Chains(HLC), S | 123536 | IgG K/L HLC Ratio | Ratio | 74868-1 | |
| Order Code | 123550 | |||||
| Order Code Name | IgG Heavy Light Chains(HLC), S | |||||
| Order Loinc | ||||||
| Result Code | 123534 | |||||
| Result Code Name | IgG Kappa, S | |||||
| UofM | g/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 74862-4 | |||||
| Order Code | 123550 | |||||
| Order Code Name | IgG Heavy Light Chains(HLC), S | |||||
| Order Loinc | ||||||
| Result Code | 123535 | |||||
| Result Code Name | IgG Lambda, S | |||||
| UofM | g/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 74863-2 | |||||
| Order Code | 123550 | |||||
| Order Code Name | IgG Heavy Light Chains(HLC), S | |||||
| Order Loinc | ||||||
| Result Code | 123536 | |||||
| Result Code Name | IgG K/L HLC Ratio | |||||
| UofM | Ratio | |||||
| Result LOINC | 74868-1 |