Kappa-Lambda Light Chain, Total Test

Immunoglobulin light chains that are circulating in serum in a free state are called free light chains or Serum Free Light Chain. There are two types of immunoglobulin light chain produced in humans, designated by the Greek letters kappa (κ) and lambda (λ). This test looks for signs of antibodies called immunoglobulins in the patient's blood. When the patient has more light chains than heavy chains, those extra light chains are called 'free'. The more free light chains in the patient's blood, the more plasma cells the patient has which may mean there is a problem with the plasma cells.

Kappa Lambda Light Chain test doesn’t require any special preparation.
Before the procedure of the test is commenced, it is the responsibility of the doctor to ensure that the patient is not taking any over-the-counter drugs, prescription medications or herbal supplements.
The doctors will prescribe the patients to undergo several other tests along with the free light test.
The tests prescribed may include the following:
-Biopsy of bone marrow
-Electrophoresis tests of proteins in blood
and urine.
-Free light chain test of urine
-Immunoglobulin test on patients blood
-Bone imaging tests
-Other blood tests, including complete blood count, creatinine, and calcium.

The test measures the levels of specific types of free light chains, known as kappa and lambda, and also the ratio between the two. Normal test results for free light chains are: 3.3 to 19.4 mg/L kappa free light chains 5.71 to 26.3 mg/L lambda free light chains 0.26 to 1.65 ratio of kappa/lambda If the patient's results are higher or lower, it may mean that the patient has a problem with his/her plasma cells, such as multiple myeloma. It may also be used to diagnose other conditions affecting the cells in your bone marrow which is known as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and a serious disease called amyloidosis.

The Free Light Chain test Of Urine is conducted by collecting the patient's urine samples on which further procedures will be carried out in the laboratory. The following sequence is followed when Free Chain Blood test is performed: The healthcare personnel will usually clean the area to be pricked with an antiseptic. They will tie an elastic band around the patient's upper arm to make their vein swell with blood. A needle will be gently inserted into the vein and the blood will be collected in an attached vial or tube. The healthcare provider will send the blood samples to the laboratory for analysis.