Cryoglobulinemia

Overview

Cryoglobulins are proteins that precipitate (clump together) in the cold. Most people with cryoglobulins have no symptoms other than elevated levels on lab tests. For others, however, the presence of cryoglobulins can cause disease affecting one or all organs. When there are symptoms due to the cryoglobulins, the disease is called "cryoglobulinemia."

Mayo Clinic physicians have a worldwide reputation for diagnosis and treatment of rare blood disorders, including cryoglobulinemia. A multispecialty team of physicians works together to develop a treatment plan based on the patient's needs and health issues.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made by combining the information from a thorough history and physical examination with results from blood and urine tests. At times, biopsies (small samples of tissue) are also required. Potential biopsy sites include the skin, kidney, bone marrow, liver, and a peripheral nerve.

Treatment Options

There are few standard treatments for symptomatic cryoglobulinemia. Mayo doctors consider several important questions before deciding on treatment:

• Are symptoms related to cryoglobulins present?
• How severe are the symptoms and which organs appear to be affected?
• Is an underlying disease related to the cryoglobulinemia?
• Is there infection with the hepatitis C virus?

The goal of treatment is to limit further organ damage. Because cryoglobulinemia is so rare, very few clinical trials have been completed to address treatment strategies. Read more about Mayo's treatment strategies for cryoglobulinemia.

• Treatment in Arizona
• Treatment in Florida
• Treatment in Minnesota

About Cryoglobulinemia

The proteins that compose cryoglobulins are called antibodies or immunoglobulins. Normally, these immunoglobulins help the body fight infection. But when someone has cryoglobulinemia, these immunoglobulins clump together and cause organ damage and illness. Cryoglobulinemia may or may not be associated with other diseases, such as liver disease, infection, a connective tissue disease, multiple myeloma or lymphoma.

The cause of cryoglobulinemia is not known, but there is an association with certain diseases, as well as the hepatitis C virus. It can affect anyone, but the majority of people with cryoglobulinemia are in their 40s or 50s. Twice as many women as men have this disorder. Cryoglobulinemia is not inherited.

For more information see:
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
MedlinePlus - National Library of Medicine