Quantitative immunoglobulins (nephelometry)

What the risks are:

• excessive bleeding
• fainting or feeling lightheaded
• hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
• multiple punctures to locate veins

Special considerations:

Nephelometry only determines the total amount of each immunoglobulin but cannot distinguish monoclonal antibodies (as can immunoelectrophoresis or immunofixation).

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.