: Myoglobin [Mass concentration] in Serum or Plasma
: This test measures the amount of myoglobin, a small oxygen-binding protein found in muscle, in your blood. It is used mainly to help evaluate muscle injury.
[": A serum myoglobin measurement helps detect muscle damage but is not specific to the heart and is usually interpreted alongside other tests and symptoms."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 32331-1
- Short code
- Myoglobin SerPl Ql
- Synonyms
- Myoglobin SerPl Ql
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 70
- Critical range
- — – 200 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 83880
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
: What Is Myoglobin?
: Myoglobin is a protein in skeletal and heart muscle that stores and carries oxygen within muscle cells. When muscle cells are injured, myoglobin leaks into the bloodstream, so a blood level can rise after muscle damage.
: Why the Test Is Ordered
: Clinicians may order a myoglobin test when someone has muscle pain, weakness, dark urine, or suspected muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), or as part of a broader cardiac evaluation. It is rarely used alone and is interpreted with other findings.
: How the Sample Is Collected
: The test is usually done on a blood sample drawn from a vein, most often serum or plasma. No special preparation is typically needed unless your care team gives other instructions.
: What Results Can Mean
: A higher-than-usual myoglobin level can occur with muscle injury, intense exercise, certain medications, or heart muscle damage, while levels can also be affected by kidney function and timing. Because myoglobin is not specific to the heart, results are assessed with symptoms, an ECG, and other markers such as troponin.
Reference range
Adult males: 20-70 μg/L; Females: 25-58 μg/LN/A
No special preparation required. Inform provider of any chest pain or symptoms.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
: Myoglobin rises quickly after muscle injury but lacks specificity, so it is not a stand-alone diagnostic test. Interpretation depends on clinical context, timing of the sample, kidney function, and other laboratory results, and decisions about care should be made by the treating clinician.
Short name
: Myoglobin, serum
Frequently asked questions
: Does a high myoglobin level always mean a heart attack?
: Do I need to fast before this test?
: Can exercise affect my myoglobin result?
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 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy