Pathology tests database

Sample and container requirements

Minimum volume required

Special requirements

Patient preparation

Sample viability

Turnaround time

Reference range

Clinical guidance

This test is not available. The clinical utility of serum myoglobin measurement is limited because concentrations rise only briefly following muscle injury before being rapidly cleared by the kidneys. More useful biomarkers are available, including creatine kinase (CK) for skeletal muscle injury and cardiac troponin (cTnI) for myocardial injury. Myoglobinuria may be suspected in patients with dark brown ("tea-coloured") urine. A urine dipstick can be used as an initial screening test. A positive result for blood in urine that is not visibly blood stained (and particularly in the absence of red blood cells on urine microscopy) suggests the presence of myoglobin or haemoglobin. Because myoglobin is structurally similar to haemoglobin, it cross-reacts with the blood pad on the urine dipstick, and the dipstick cannot distinguish between the two.

Notes