Test Code IgM Immunoglobulin M
Specimen and Container/Tube
Specimen Type: Plasma
Preferred Specimen: Li-Heparin Mint Green Top
Other Acceptable specimens: Serum/Gold Top
Volume
Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL
Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL
Specimen Stability
Storage Temperature |
Stability |
Room temperature |
2 months |
Refrigerated |
4 months |
Frozen |
6 months |
Collection Instructions
Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures.
Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions
UCMC Onsite Instructions:
Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately.
UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions:
- Samples should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
- Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Aliquot sample into plastic transport tube containing a minimum of 0.2 mL of specimen.
- Samples must be sent room temperature at 15-25oC.
Rejection Criteria
- Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits.
- Specimens that are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.
- Specimens that were transported unspun/whole blood and draw time is greater than 6 hours.
Reference Values
Test |
Age |
Sex |
Reference Range |
IgM |
0 up to 1 month |
All |
11-35 mg/dL |
1 month up to 4 months |
All |
12-87 mg/dL |
|
4 months up to 7 months |
All |
25-120 mg/dL |
|
7 months up to 2 years |
All |
36-104 mg/dL |
|
2 years up to 3 years |
All |
72-160 mg/dL |
|
3 years up to 4 years |
All |
46-190 mg/dL |
|
4 years up to 5 years |
All |
52-200 mg/dL |
|
5 years up to 6 years |
All |
40-180 mg/dL |
|
6 years up to 7 years |
All |
55-210 mg/dL |
|
7 years up to 8 years |
All |
60-175 mg/dL |
|
8 years up to 9 years |
All |
68-175 mg/dL |
|
9 years up to 10 years |
All |
55-160 mg/dL |
|
10 years up to 11 years |
All |
80-150 mg/dL |
|
11 years up to 12 years |
All |
66-155 mg/dL |
|
12 years up to 14 years |
All |
70-150 mg/dL |
|
14 years and up |
All |
50-320 mg/dL |
Critical Values
Analyte |
Unit |
Low |
High |
Age |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Turnaround Time
Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory.
STAT Turnaround Time: 1 hour
Routine Turnaround Time: 4 hours
Testing Schedule: 24/7
Clinical Indications
The gamma globulin band as seen in conventional serum protein electrophoresis consists of 5 immunoglobulins. In normal serum, about 5% is IgM.
Elevations of IgM may be due to polyclonal immunoglobulin production. Monoclonal elevations of IgM occur in macroglobulinemia.
Monoclonal gammopathies of all types may lead to a spike in the gamma globulin zone seen on serum protein electrophoresis.
Decreased immunoglobulin levels are found in patients with congenital deficiencies.
Test Components
Immunoglobulin M
Methodology
Immunological agglutination (Roche Diagnostics)
CPT Codes
82784
LOINC Codes
2472-9
Synonyms/Keyword Search
IgM (Immunoglobulin M)
IgM single test
IgM, Serum
Immune Competence
Additional Information
-
Increased serum immunoglobulin concentrations occur due to polyclonal or oligoclonal immunoglobulin proliferation in hepatic disease (eg, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis), connective tissue diseases, acute and chronic infections, as well as in the cord blood of neonates with intrauterine and perinatal infections.
Elevation of IgM may occur in monoclonal gammopathies such as macroglobulinemia, primary systemic amyloidosis, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, and related disorders.
Decreased levels are found in patients with primary or secondary immune deficiencies.
Last Review Date
5/30/25