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Interpretive Handbook

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Test 9035:
Myoglobin, Serum

Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Myoglobin is a heme protein found in smooth and skeletal muscles. Serum myoglobin reflects a balance between intravascular release of myoglobin from muscle and renal clearance.

 

Previously serum myoglobin had been advocated as a sensitive marker for early acute myocardial injury (eg, acute myocardial infarction [AMI]). However more recent studies indicate that other newer markers (eg, troponin) provide superior diagnostic utility in detecting early myocardial injury.

 

Elevation of serum myoglobin may occur as a result of muscle trauma, resuscitation, myopathies, AMI, shock, strenuous body activity, or decreased elimination during renal insufficiency. Extreme elevations occur in rhabdomyolysis.

Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Accessing muscle damage from any cause

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

Elevated myoglobin levels are seen in conditions of acute muscle injury.

Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Elevation is nonspecific for acute myocardial infarction. The test is of no value in this regard in the presence of renal failure, rhabdomyolysis, extensive trauma, acute peripheral vascular occlusion, or after seizures.

 

Serum levels rise in renal insufficiency.

 

Results are unreliable in lipemic serum; specimens that cannot be cleared by ultracentrifugation will be rejected.

Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

0.00-0.09 mcg/mL

Reference values apply to all ages.

Clinical References Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature

Eggers KM, Oldgren J, Nordenskjold A, Lindahl B: Diagnostic value of serial measurement of cardiac markers in patients with chest pain: limited value of adding myoglobin to troponin I for exclusion of myocardial infarction. Am Heart J 2004;148(4):574-581