A cryoglobulin test is used to help detect the presence and relative quantity of cryoglobulins in the blood. It may be ordered along with other tests to help determine and rule out potential causes for cryoglobulinemia. The tests ordered depend on what condition or disease is suspected. They may include tests such as rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibody (ANA), and a variety of otherautoantibodies to help identify or rule out an autoimmune disorder, hepatitis C testing, etc.
If the cryoglobulin test is positive, then it will be followed with protein electrophoresis and Ouchterlony technique or immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) testing to determine which type(s) of protein are present as cryoglobulins and which type of cryoglobulinemia the person has.
The cryoglobulin test is negative in most healthy people and is not routinely ordered on those without symptoms.
When the test is positive, it means that cryoglobulins are present and have the potential to precipitate upon exposure to cold. The symptoms experienced when this happens will vary from person to person, may be different with each exposure, and will not necessarily correlate with the quantity of cryoglobulins present.
A positive test may indicate:
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