Viscosity, Serum Test
The serum viscosity test measures how thick, or viscous, a blood serum sample is using a kinematic viscometer. Clinicians use it in the context of certain blood-related conditions where elevated viscosity is a known feature.
About this test
Serum viscosity describes the thickness of the fluid part of blood after it clots, measured with a kinematic viscometer on a small serum sample. Quest describes high serum viscosity as most commonly observed in people with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and multiple myeloma, conditions in which abnormal proteins in the blood raise its thickness.
Because viscosity is a physical property of the whole sample rather than the level of a single substance, a clinician reads it together with other findings related to those conditions rather than as a standalone marker. Quest notes that people with high viscosity may experience effects associated with reduced blood flow, such as capillary occlusion, tissue hypoxia and acidosis.
Test details
| Quest code | 918 |
|---|---|
| Methodology | Kinematic Viscometer |
| Sample type | 2 mL serum |
| Collection | Quest patient service center |
Reference range
1.5-1.9 relative to H2O
Reference ranges are general guidance. The range printed on your own laboratory report is the one that applies to your result.
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Additional details
What this test looks at
The test reports a single value: the viscosity of a serum sample, measured with a kinematic viscometer. It is most often discussed in relation to conditions such as Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and multiple myeloma, where elevated viscosity is a recognized feature.
Order online and a physician order is included — no doctor's visit and no insurance needed. Your sample is collected at a Quest Diagnostics patient service center.
Laboratory results should always be interpreted by a licensed clinician who knows your health history. This page is information about a test, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
What does a serum viscosity test measure?
It measures how thick, or viscous, a blood serum sample is, using a kinematic viscometer.
How is the sample collected?
The test uses a 2 mL serum sample from a routine blood draw.
Do I need to prepare for this test?
No preparation instructions are listed for this test, though people follow any instructions their ordering clinician provides.
Why is serum viscosity measured?
Quest describes high serum viscosity as most commonly observed in people with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and multiple myeloma, so it is used in the context of those conditions.
What can high viscosity be associated with?
Quest describes people with high viscosity as potentially experiencing effects associated with reduced blood flow, including capillary occlusion, tissue hypoxia and acidosis. A clinician interprets the result alongside other findings.
What does a Viscosity test cost without insurance?
$185. Celio Health's price is a flat cash price and insurance is never billed: the required physician's order is included.