Cold Agglutinin Titer Blood Test, Quantitative

What is the purpose of this test?

Order this Cold Agglutinin Titer Blood Test, Quantitative, which detects and measures cold agglutinin levels to determine the cause of hemolytic anemia and diagnose cold agglutinin disease. Cold agglutinins are autoantibodies produced by an individual’s immune system that mistakenly target red blood cells (RBCs). They cause RBCs to clump together when a person is exposed to cold temperatures and increase the likelihood that the body will destroy the affected RBCs.

When cold agglutinins in a person’s blood lead to significant RBC destruction, it can cause hemolytic anemia and lead to a low RBC count and hemoglobin. This rare condition is known as cold agglutinin disease. Cold agglutinin disease may be categorized into primary or secondary, induced by another disease or condition.

Primary cold agglutinin disease typically affects middle age to older adults and continues over time (chronic). Secondary cold agglutinin disease may affect anyone and may be acute or chronic, temporary or persistent. It may cause hemolytic anemia to a greater or lesser degree and is associated with various conditions.

When should I order a Cold Agglutinin Titer Blood Test, Quantitative?

Individuals may order this test if they have experienced hemolytic anemia due to cold agglutinin disease. Common signs or symptoms may include:

• Pain 
• Pale skin
• Bluing in the fingers, toes, and tips of the ears that occurs after exposure to cold temperatures
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headaches