Serum Protein Electrophoresis
From Health Facts
Latest Edit: Hector 2014-03-24 (EDT)
See Also | Lab Tests |
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Serum protein electrophoresis is used to diagnose, evaluate, and monitor the disease course in patients with cancer (e.g. lymphoma, myeloma), intestinal/renal protein-wasting states, immune disorders, liver dysfunction, impaired nutrition, and chronic edematous states.[1]
Discussion
- Proteins are constituents of key functional and structural entities within the body.
- Total serum protein is a combination of prealbumin, albumin, and globulins.
- Serum protein electrophoresis can separate various components of blood protein into bands or zones according to their electrical charge.
- This test can also be done on urine to determine certain renal protein-losing nephropathies.
- Several different methods of electrophoresis exist, which include radial immunodiffusion, immunonephelometry, immunofluorometry, and radioimmunoassay.
Patient Preparation
- No fasting required.
- Factors which can cause increased levels
- Drugs: Aspirin, bicarbonates, chlorpromazine, corticosteroids, isoniazid, neomycin, phenacemide, salicylates, sulfonamides, and tolbutamide
- Factors which can cause decreased levels
- None noted
Clinical Implications
High Levels:
High Albumin levels indicate:
- Dehydration
High Alpha1 globulin levels indicate:
- Inflammatory disease
High Alpha2 globulin levels indicate:
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Inflammatory disease
High Beta globulin levels indicate:
High Gamma globulin levels indicate:
- Multiple myeloma
- Walderstrom macroglobulinemia
- Chronic inflammatory disease
- Malignancy
- Hyperimmunization
- Cirrhosis
- Acute and chronic infection
Low levels:
Low Albumin levels indicate:
- Malnutrition
- Pregnancy
- Liver disease
- Protein-losing enteropathies
- Protein-losing nephropathies
- Third-space losses
- Overhydration
- Increased capillary permeability
- Inflammatory disease
- Familial idiopathic dysproteinemia
Low Alpha1 globulin levels indicate:
- Juvenile pulmonary emphysema
Low Alpha2 globulin levels indicate:
- Hemolysis
- Wilson disease
- Hyperthyroidism
Low Beta globulin levels indicate:
- Malnutrition
Low Gamma globulin levels indicate:
- Genetic immune disorders
- Secondary immune deficiency
Associated Tests
- Immunofixation Electrophoresis (IFE), Immunoglobulin Electrophoresis, Prealbumin
References
- ↑ Pagana Kathleen D, Pagana Timothy J (2006) Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, Mosby.