Agglutinin cold & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is cold agglutinin?

The cold agglutinin test is a test that is done to detect the cause of the antibodies called cold agglutinins. These antibodies are normally produced by the immune system when they react to infection. These antibodies cause blood cells to clot at a low temperature. Healthy people generally have low levels of cold agglutinin in their blood. However, lymphoma or some types of infection, such as mycoplasma, can cause cold agglutinin production to increase.

Increasing cold agglutinin levels from normal levels does not cause serious problems. This cold agglutinin level will increase when the body temperature is cold, then the blood will clot under the skin layer, so that the hands and feet become pale and numb. However, this condition will soon disappear when the body starts to warm up. In some cases, this blood clot can prevent blood from flowing to the fingers and toes, ears, and nose. This can cause tissue damage, and can even cause putrefaction (rarely).

Sometimes, high levels of cold agglutinin can impair the flow of red blood cells in the body. This condition is called autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

When should I take cold agglutinins?

This test is usually done if a person's body reacts to a high temperature and then symptoms of hemolytic anemia are caused by cold agglutinins. Here are the symptoms:

• tired, tired, lethargic, lack of energy, pale skin (pallor), dizziness and / or headaches due to anemia
• in some cases, the fingers and toes of the ears, and the nose hurt to a turn blue due to cold temperatures

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before taking cold agglutinins?

More than half of people with pneumonia caused by mycoplasma have high levels of cold agglutinins. There is a new test that can replace this test to detect mycoplasma. Red blood cells that clot (Rouleaux formation) will be seen in a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test. Your doctor may do this cold agglutinin test to find out the level of cold agglutinin in your blood.

Blood type tests are usually done before blood donations or organ transplants to determine whether the blood groups of the donor and recipient match. The blood type of a person with high levels of cold agglutinin is usually difficult to detect.

Cold agglutinin levels in older people usually tend to be higher and last for years. This cold agglutinin test may not be performed if a person is suffering from secondary cold agglutinin disease, for example mononucleosis infection or mycoplasma pneumonia infection, so it will be difficult to diagnose cold agglutinin levels in patients with secondary cold agglutinin disease.

Process

What should I do before taking cold agglutinins?

You don't need to make any preparations before taking this test.

How does cold agglutinin process?

The medical personnel in charge of drawing your blood will take the following steps:

• wrap an elastic belt around your upper arm to stop blood flow. This makes the blood vessel under the bundle enlarge making it easier to insert the needle into the vessel
• clean the area to be injected with alcohol
• inject a needle into a vein. More than one needle may be required.
• Insert the tube into the syringe to fill it with blood
• untie the knot from your arm when enough blood is drawn
• sticking gauze or cotton on the injection site, after the injection is complete
• apply pressure to the area and then put a bandage on

What should I do after taking cold agglutinins?

An elastic band is wrapped around your upper arm and will feel tight. You may not feel anything when you get the injection, or you may feel like you are stung or pinched.

You can remove the bandage and cotton from the area after 20 to 30 minutes. Then you will be informed of the test results. Make sure you follow your doctor's directions.

Explanation of the Test Results

What do my test results mean?

Normal result

A normal test result known as the "reference range" is only a guide. This reference range is usually different in each laboratory. Your test results will usually follow the reference range guidelines of the laboratory in question.

Normal conditions: less than 1 in 16 (1:16) at 4 C.

High yield

High levels of cold agglutinin are usually caused by infections, for example pneumonia due to pneumonia, mononucleosis, hepatitis C, or other viral infections.

These high levels of cold agglutinins also cause several symptoms due to reactions from cold temperatures, such as numbness, burning, burning, and pale skin on the tips of the toes and hands, ears, or nose.