Interference of Blood Glucose Testing by an Increase in Serum IgM Levels

Background: An absurd result of plasma glucose test caused by increased serum IgM levels. Methods: Serum immunoglobulin levels are determined by using an immunoturbidimetric assay. Additionally, serial dilutions were performed to assess the absurd results. Results: Our results showed that an increase in serum IgM levels induces errors in the measurement of the plasma glucose level. Conclusions: This study simply presents a message that both medical technologists and physicians need to be aware of this because improper results of blood glucose levels may result in aggressive and invasive patient management. Additionally, physicians may be led to wrong interpretation due to false levels of glucose. In fact, we do not know how often this situation accidentally occurs in the laboratory. Therefore, all medical technologists must stay alert to absurd and unusual test results and reconfirm the reason for an absurd result.