Agglutinin - Cold - Qualitative

No, fasting is not required for this test.

Your doctor may order this test if you have symptoms of hemolytic anemia such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and a high heart rate, especially if these symptoms worsen in cold temperatures.

This test measures the presence and amount of cold agglutinins in your blood.

The frequency of this test is determined by your doctor based on your symptoms and medical condition.

A negative result is normal, which means no cold agglutinins were detected in your blood.

Ensure that your sample is kept at a warm temperature after collection as cold agglutinins can cause clumping of red blood cells in low temperatures.

Factors that can affect the levels include exposure to cold temperatures, underlying infections, or conditions like lymphoma or autoimmune disorders.

Modifiable factors include avoiding exposure to cold temperatures. Non-modifiable factors include inherent properties of the cold agglutinins and underlying conditions that cause their production.

You should consult a hematologist or an immunologist in case of abnormal results.

No, there is no specific preparation needed for this test.

The test is highly standardized, but slight differences might occur due to technical differences between labs.

The test itself does not pose any risk. However, as with any blood draw, there is a minimal risk of bruising, bleeding, or infection at the puncture site.

Yes, you can eat and drink normally before the test.

Cold agglutinin disease is a rare type of autoimmune hemolytic anemia where the immune system mistakenly produces antibodies (cold agglutinins) that attack red blood cells at cold temperatures, leading to their destruction.

The Cold Agglutinin - Qualitative test plays a critical role in diagnosing and managing a range of conditions linked to the presence of cold agglutinins. Understanding the results, in conjunction with other clinical findings and tests, helps doctors develop a targeted treatment plan. If you have been advised to take this test or have recently received your results, it's essential to discuss them thoroughly with your doctor to understand the next steps.