Free Light Chains, Serum

Test Code

FLCH

CPT Codes
83520 x 2

Includes

Kappa Free Light Chains, Lambda Free Light Chains, and Kappa/Lambda Free Light Chain Ratio

Preferred Specimen

Serum (Gold or Red Top Tube)

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Transport Container

Serum (Gold or Red Top) Tube

Transport Temperature

Room Temperature or Refrigeration; Do not freeze plasma.

Specimen Stability

Room Temperature - 24 hours; Refrigerated - 21 days; Freezing not recommended.

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Hemolysis, Turbidity, Quantity not Sufficient, EDTA (purple top tube) contamination, IV contamination

Methodology
Turbidimetric

Setup Schedule

Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm upon receipt

Report Available

Upon completion of analysis

Reference Range

Kappa Free Light Chains:                        3.30 - 19.40 mg/L
Lambda Free Light Chains:                      5.71 - 26.30 mg/L
Kappa/Lambda Free Light Chain Ratio:   0.26 - 1.65

Clinical Significance

Elevated serum levels of monoclonal FLC are associated with malignant plasma cell proliferation (e.g. multiple myeloma), AL amyloidosis and light chain deposition disease. Raised serum levels of polyclonal FLC may be associated with autoimmune diseased sush as systemic lupus erythematosus. The appearance of higher levels of FLC in urine may be indicative of kidney disease or malignant lymphoproliferative disease such as multiple myeloma. The monoclonal urinary FLC associated with lymphoid malignancy is called Bence-Jones Protein.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.