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Kappa/Lambda Light Chains, Free with Ratio
Test Code11234
Alias/See Also
LAB735
CPT Codes
83521 (x2)
Preferred Specimen
2 mL serum
Minimum Volume
1 mL
Transport Container
Transport tube
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 21 days
Frozen: 30 days
Refrigerated: 21 days
Frozen: 30 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Gross hemolysis • Grossly lipemic • Microbially contaminated • Heavy visible particulate
Methodology
Immunoturbidimetric
Setup Schedule
Tues-Sat
Report Available
3-7 days
Reference Range
| Kappa Light Chain, Free, Serum | 3.3-19.4 mg/L |
| Lambda Light Chain, Free, Serum | 5.7-26.3 mg/L |
| Kappa/Lambda Light Chains Free with Ratio, Serum | 0.26-1.65 |
Clinical Significance
The Kappa/Lambda Light Chains, Free with Ratio, Serum test measures the amount of kappa and lambda free light chains (FLCs) in the blood and calculates the kappa to lambda ratio. It is used to assist in the diagnosis of plasma cell disorders, including multiple myeloma, primary amyloidosis, monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS), Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, and related disorders. It is also used to monitor disease activity and treatment [1].
Kappa and lambda light chains link with heavy chains to form immunoglobulins. In healthy individuals, most serum light chains are bound to heavy chains. However, excess plasma-cell proliferation associated with plasma-cell disorders can cause an excess of circulating FLCs and increase or decrease the K/L ratio [1].
This test is intended for patients clinically suspected of having hematologic disease, based on certain symptoms and medical conditions. These include bone pain, bone fractures, normocytic anemia, kidney disease, and recurrent infections suggestive of an underlying plasma-cell disorder [1].
Note that blood samples that are grossly hemolyzed or lipemic or contain high levels of circulating immune complexes (CICs) should not be tested, because of the unpredictable degree of nonspecific scatter these sample types may generate.
References
1. AACC. Serum free light chains. https://labtestsonline.org/tests/serum-free-light-chains. Accessed September 3, 2019.
Kappa and lambda light chains link with heavy chains to form immunoglobulins. In healthy individuals, most serum light chains are bound to heavy chains. However, excess plasma-cell proliferation associated with plasma-cell disorders can cause an excess of circulating FLCs and increase or decrease the K/L ratio [1].
This test is intended for patients clinically suspected of having hematologic disease, based on certain symptoms and medical conditions. These include bone pain, bone fractures, normocytic anemia, kidney disease, and recurrent infections suggestive of an underlying plasma-cell disorder [1].
Note that blood samples that are grossly hemolyzed or lipemic or contain high levels of circulating immune complexes (CICs) should not be tested, because of the unpredictable degree of nonspecific scatter these sample types may generate.
References
1. AACC. Serum free light chains. https://labtestsonline.org/tests/serum-free-light-chains. Accessed September 3, 2019.