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Myoglobin - urine |
| Definition: |
This is a test to detect the presence of myoglobin in urine. Myoglobin is a protein in heart and skeletal muscles. When a muscle is exercised, it uses up available oxygen. Myoglobin has oxygen bound to it, thus providing an extra reserve of oxygen so that the muscle can maintain a high level of activity for a longer period of time. When muscle is damaged, the myoglobin is released into the bloodstream. It is filtered out of the bloodstream by the kidneys, and eliminated in urine. In large quantities, myoglobin can damage the kidney and break down into toxic compounds, causing kidney failure. |
| Alternative Names: |
| Urine myoglobin |
| How the test is performed: |
A "clean-catch" (midstream) urine sample must be obtained. To perform a clean-catch, men or boys should wipe clean the head of the penis. Women or girls need to wash the area between the lips of the vagina with soapy water and rinse well. As you start to urinate, allow a small amount to fall into the toilet bowl first (this clears the urethra of contaminants), and then catch about 1 to 2 ounces of urine in the container. Give the container to the health care provider or assistant. Place a diaper over the infant (bag and all). Check your baby frequently and remove the bag after the infant has urinated into it. For active infants, this procedure may take a couple of attempts-lively infants can easily displace the bag. The urine is then poured into a container for transport back to the health care provider. |
| How to prepare for the test: |
| No special preparation is necessary for this test, but if the collection is being taken from an infant, a couple of extra collection bags may be necessary. |
| How the test will feel: |
| The test involves only normal urination which should cause no discomfort. |
| Why the test is performed: |
| Myoglobin levels may be obtained when muscle damage, including skeletal and heart muscle damage, is suspected.
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| Normal Values: |
| A normal urine sample does not have myoglobin. (Sometimes a normal result is reported as "negative".)
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| What abnormal results mean: |
The presence of myoglobin in the urine may indicate:
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| What the risks are: |
| There are no risks. |
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