Myoglobin

What it measures

Myoglobin is a small oxygen-binding protein in heart and skeletal muscle that enters the blood quickly after muscle damage. It is mainly used today to assess rhabdomyolysis and risk of kidney injury.

Specimen and preparation

• Specimen: Serum or lithium-heparin plasma
• Tube: Gold top

Reference range

Reference ranges differ between laboratories, methods and populations. Always use the range printed on your own lab report.

Causes of high values

• Rhabdomyolysis and crush injury
• Early myocardial infarction (1–3 h)
• Strenuous exercise or IM injection
• Kidney failure (reduced clearance)

Causes of low values

• Anti-myoglobin antibodies

Method

Immunoturbidimetric or chemiluminescent immunoassay

Good to know

Poorly specific for the heart and largely replaced by high-sensitivity troponin in chest pain assessment.

Related tests