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Alternative names
Serum myoglobinDefinition Return to top
This is a test that measures the amount of myoglobin in the blood.
Myoglobin is a protein in heart and skeletal muscles. When a muscle is exercised, it uses up available oxygen. Myoglobin has oxygen bound to it, thus providing an extra reserve of oxygen so that the muscle can maintain a high level of activity for a longer period of time.
When muscle is damaged, myoglobin is released into the bloodstream. Ultimately, it is excreted in the urine (see Urine myoglobin).
How the test is performed Return to top
Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and an elastic band or blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm to cause veins to distend (fill with blood).
A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the band is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
For infants or young children:
The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.
How to prepare for the test Return to top
There is no special preparation.How the test will feel Return to top
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people may feel moderate pain, while others may feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.Why the test is performed Return to top
Myoglobin levels may be obtained to confirm suspected muscle damage, including heart and skeletal muscle damage.Normal Values Return to top
The normal range is 0 to 85 ng/ml (sometimes a normal result is reported as "negative").What abnormal results mean Return to top
Greater-than-normal levels (a "positive" result) may indicate:What the risks are Return to top
Special considerations Return to top
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others. Update Date: 5/12/2003 Updated by: Bridget Martell, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |