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Serum Viscosity

Viscometry

Test Codes

Antrim #31589, EPIC: LAB5882, SOFT: VISCO

Department

Special Chemistry

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Gold-top SST tube. (Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL)

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) the centrifuged collection tube within eight hours of collection. (Minimum Serum: 1.0 mL)

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Centrifuged collection tube, refrigerated (2-8 °C or 36-46 °F). (Minimum: 1.0 mL serum)

Rejection Criteria

Severely hemolyzed, lipemic or icteric specimens. 

In-Lab Processing

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Room temperature is acceptable for a maximum of eight hours. (Minimum Serum: 1.0 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Centrifuged SST Tubes and Microtainers^® with Separator Gels
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 8 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 4 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Red-top Tubes and Microtainers^® without Separator Gels
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Serum Specimens (Pour-Overs)
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 8 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 4 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 1 month

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Royal Oak Special Testing Laboratory

Performed

Monday – Friday.
Results available within 3 days.

Reference Range

1.0–2.0 centipoise (cP).

Test Methodology

Cone-Plate Viscometer.

Interpretation

The threshold at which clinical symptoms occur varies from patient to patient. Waldenstrom's macroglobulenemia patients with serum viscosities greater than 3.0 cP may present with symptoms. However severe symptoms do not usually occur until the viscosity is greater than 7.0-10.0 cP. Patients with multiple myeloma usually present with symptoms when their serum viscosity is 6.0-7.0 cP.

Clinical Utility

Serum viscosity measurements are used to detect hyperviscosity syndrome. Hyperviscosity syndrome is a condition that occurs when plasma contains hyperviscous, temperature-sensitive paraproteins, or their aggregates in abnormal amounts. This syndrome is commonly seen in patients with monoclonal and polyclonal immunoglobulin disorders such as Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, multiple myeloma, and certain autoimmune and rheumatic diseases.

Clinical Disease

The clinical manifestations of hyperviscosity syndrome (HVS) may include irregular dilation of retinal veins, retinal hemorrhage, mucosal bleeding, prolonged bleeding after trauma or surgery, headaches, coma, dizziness, vertigo, seizures, EEG changes, hearing loss, renal insufficiency, and congestive heart failure secondary to expanded plasma volume.

CPT Codes

85810
LOINC: 3128-6

Contacts

Last Updated

1/13/2023