| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | A test that measures the amount of myoglobin in the blood. Myoglobin is an oxygen-binding protein in cardiac and skeletal muscle. Exercising muscle uses up available oxygen as it metabolizes available fuel (that is, glucose and fatty acids) for energy. The presence of myoglobin in muscle provides an extra reserve of oxygen so that exercising muscle can maintain a high level of activity for a longer period of time. When skeletal muscle is damaged, myoglobin is released into the bloodstream. Ultimately, it is excreted in the urine (see Urine myoglobin ). |
| Alternative Names | Serum myoglobin |
| How the test is performed | Adult or child: Blood is drawn from a vein ( venipuncture ), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and a tourniquet (an elastic band) or blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and cause veins below the tourniquet 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 tourniquet 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 . Infant or young child: 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 | Adults: There is no special preparation. Infants and children: The physical and psychological preparation a parent can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on the child's age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age: infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year) toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years) preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years) schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years) adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years) |
| How the test will feel | 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 | Myoglobin levels may be obtained to confirm suspected muscle damage, including heart and skeletal muscle damage. |
| Normal Values | The normal range is 0 to 85 ng/ml (sometimes the test is reported as "negative"). Note: ng/ml = nanograms per milliliter |
| What abnormal results mean | Greater-than-normal levels (or "positive" result) may indicate:malignant hyperthermia (very rare) muscular dystrophymyocardial infarctionrhabdomyolysis skeletal muscle inflammation ( myositis ) skeletal muscle ischemia (blood deficiency) skeletal muscle trauma |
| What the risks are | excessive bleedingfainting or feeling light-headed hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken) multiple punctures to locate veins |
| Special considerations | 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. |
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