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Test ID HLCG Immunoglobulin Heavy and Light Chain (HLC) Pairs, IgG Kappa and IgG Lambda

Useful For

The quantitation of heavy and light chain pairs is useful for:

1. Distinguishing between broadly migrating monoclonal proteins and restricted polyclonal immunoglobulin responses

 

2. Quantitating monoclonal IgG proteins that are difficult to quantitate on serum protein electrophoresis

 

3. Providing a more specific quantitation of the monoclonal protein than quantitating total IgG

Method Name

Nephelometry 

Includes total immunoglobulin G.

Reporting Name

HLC, IgG, S

Specimen Type

Serum

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Red top

Acceptable: Serum gel

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 28 days
  Ambient  28 days
  Frozen  28 days

Clinical Information

Plasma cell proliferative diseases such as multiple myeloma are defined by the monoclonal expansion of bone marrow plasma cells. The abnormal proliferation of clonal cells in the bone marrow can be identified by a skewed ratio of cells synthesizing kappa or lambda immunoglobulin. In addition, the secreted monoclonal immunoglobulin can usually be identified in serum or urine by protein electrophoresis and immunofixation electrophoresis. These electrophoretic procedures can show restricted immunoglobulin migration, characterize the heavy and/or light chains, and quantitate the monoclonal protein. Some monoclonal proteins, however, are difficult to identify and quantitate by electrophoretic assays. The serum concentration of monoclonal free light chains for example may not be high enough to be recognized or quantitated. Immunoassays that are specific for free light chains,as opposed to light chains bound to heavy chains, can quantitate kappa and lambda free light chains. An abnormal ratio of the free light chains can identify excess clonal plasma cell proliferation and the concentration of the monoclonal free light chain can be determined. Another example of proteins that are difficult to identify and quantitate are monoclonal proteins that are intact immunoglobulins (heavy and light chains) that migrate very broadly in the gamma fraction or migrate within the beta or alpha fractions. Immunoassays that are specific for heavy and light chain pairs (HLC) such as IgG kappa or IgG lambda can quantitate the individual HLC pairs and be used to identify abnormal ratios of the HLC pairs and to quantitate the monoclonal HLC pair.

Reference Values

Total IgG

0-<5 months: 100-334 mg/dL

5-<9 months: 164-588 mg/dL

9-<15 months: 246-904 mg/dL

15-<24 months: 313-1,170 mg/dL

2-<4 years: 295-1,156 mg/dL

4-<7 years: 386-1,470 mg/dL

7-<10 years: 462-1,682 mg/dL

10-<13 years: 503-1,719 mg/dL

13-<16 years: 509-1,580 mg/dL

16-<18 years: 487-1,327 mg/dL

≥18 years: 767-1,590 mg/dL

 

IgG kappa: 434-1080 mg/dL

IgG lambda: 177-531 mg/dL

GK/GL ratio: 1.06-4.46

Cautions

Heavy and light chain (HLC) quantitation should be used as a complementary method to serum protein electrophoresis.

 

Small concentrations of monoclonal IgG proteins may not result in an altered HLC pair ratio.

 

The serum monoclonal protein study (MPSS / Monoclonal Protein Study, Serum) and urine monoclonal protein study (MPSU / Monoclonal Protein Study, 24 Hour, Urine) remain the assays of choice for initial detection of monoclonal proteins.

Day(s) Performed

Monday, Thursday

Report Available

2 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test has been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

82784

83883 x 2

NY State Approved

Yes