Myoglobin Test
The Test
How is it used?
Myoglobin is a small protein, and it leaks out of cells soon after injury. Myoglobin levels start to rise within 1–3 hours of a heart attack or other muscle injury, reach their highest values by about 8–12 hours, and generally fall back to normal by about one day after injury occurred.
When is it requested?
Myoglobin tests may be used in people with chest pain who are suspected of having had a heart attack, particularly if the electrocardiogram (ECG) does not give clear cut results. (The ECG records the electrical changes in different parts of the heart muscle as it beats; the patterns change when heart muscle is damaged.
What does the test result mean?
When myoglobin rises, there has been very recent injury to the heart or other muscle tissue. If myoglobin does not increase at that point, a heart attack is very unlikely, unless the chest pain started more than a day before.
Because myoglobin is also found in other muscles, high levels usually require using other tests (such as troponin or CK–MB ) to tell whether the damage was to heart or to other muscle. High levels can occur in accidents, fits, surgery, or any muscle disease.
Because myoglobin is also found in other muscles, high levels usually require using other tests (such as troponin or CK–MB ) to tell whether the damage was to heart or to other muscle. High levels can occur in accidents, fits, surgery, or any muscle disease.
Is there anything else I should know?
Increased myoglobin levels can occur after injections into muscles or strenuous exercise. Because the kidneys remove myoglobin from the blood, myoglobin levels may be high in persons whose kidneys are failing. Rarely, heavy alcohol abuse and certain drugs can cause muscle injury and increase myoglobin.
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