blood disorders
Macroglobulinemia
Diagnosis of Macroglobulinemia
Blood tests Additional laboratory tests Blood tests are done when macroglobulinemia is suspected. The three most useful tests are Serum protein electrophoresis (a test that measures specific proteins in the Plasma to help identify some diseases) Measurement of immunoglobulins Immunoelectrophoresis (a process by which proteins are separated out from Plasma and identified based on the detectable immunologic reactions they produce) The occurrence of specific genetic mutations commonly occur among patients with macroglobulinemia. Doctors may do other laboratory tests as well. For example, doctors may check a blood sample to determine if the numbers of red and white blood cells and platelets are normal. In addition, serum viscosity, which is a test to check the thickness of the blood, is often done. Blood clotting test results may be abnormal, and other tests may detect cryoglobulins. An examination of a urine sample may show Bence Jones proteins (pieces of abnormal antibodies). A Bone Marrow Examination may reveal an increased number of lymphocytes and plasma cells, which helps confirm the diagnosis of macroglobulinemia, and the appearance of these cells helps differentiate this disorder from X-rays may show a loss of bone density ( Osteoporosis ). Computed tomography (CT) may reveal an enlarged spleen, liver, or lymph nodes. 