: Lambda Light Chain Free, 24-Hour Urine, Rate Measurement
: This test measures the amount of free lambda light chains released into urine over a 24-hour collection period, expressed as a rate. It helps evaluate certain plasma cell and kidney disorders.
[": A 24-hour urine free lambda light chain rate helps your care team assess abnormal protein production by plasma cells."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 38169-9
- Short code
- Lambda LC Free 24h Ur-mRate
- Synonyms
- Lambda LC Free 24h Ur-mRate
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Sterile urine container
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 20
- Ref high
- 400
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 82670
- Specimen volume
- 10 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 2h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
: What Are Light Chains?
: Antibodies are made of heavy and light chains. Plasma cells normally produce a small amount of free light chains (kappa and lambda) that circulate in blood and pass into urine. When plasma cells grow abnormally, free light chain levels can rise.
: Why Measure Lambda Light Chains in Urine?
: Measuring free lambda light chains over 24 hours can help detect and monitor conditions such as multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and other plasma cell disorders. It may also help assess kidney effects from these proteins.
: How the 24-Hour Collection Works
: You collect all urine produced over a full 24-hour period in a provided container, following your laboratory's instructions. The total volume and the lambda light chain amount are measured, and results are reported as a rate (amount per 24 hours).
: What the Results Mean
: Results are interpreted alongside blood tests, urine protein electrophoresis, and clinical findings. Higher free lambda light chain excretion may suggest excess production, but results must be reviewed by your clinician in context.
Reference range
Premenopausal: 20-400 pg/mL; Postmenopausal: <30 pg/mLN/A
No special preparation usually required. Stay well hydrated. Inform your healthcare provider of all medications and supplements you are taking.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
: Free lambda light chain testing supports diagnosis and monitoring of plasma cell disorders and related kidney disease. It is most useful when combined with serum free light chains, protein electrophoresis, and other clinical information; no single result is diagnostic on its own.
Short name
: Urine Free Lambda Light Chains (24h)
Frequently asked questions
: Do I need to fast or change medications before this test?
: Why is a 24-hour collection used instead of a single urine sample?
: Can a high result mean I definitely have cancer?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy