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Test Code LAB119 Protein Electrophoresis Serum, with Reflex

Clinical Information

Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPE) is used for screening patients with suspected monoclonal gammopathies, but it alone is not considered an adequate screen for monoclonal gammopathies. For suspected monoclonal gammopathies, serum free light chains are recommended to be ordered together with SPE. Fibrinogen will migrate as a distinct band in the beta-gamma fraction, so plasma samples are not acceptable. Radiographic agents may produce an uninterpretable pattern. Immunotyping of monoclonal (M-) proteins identifies the monoclonal immunoglobulin heavy chain type (gamma, alpha, mu, delta, or epsilon) and light chain type (kappa or lambda) in serum. If a monoclonal light-chain is detected in the absence of an associated monoclonal heavy-chain, immunofixation electrophoresis specific for delta and epsilon chains is performed. Immunofixation is not a quantitative assay. If a monoclonal protein is identified, a serum protein electrophoresis assay is required for quantifying the abnormality. 

Synonym

  • SERUM TP
  • SPE
  • Serum Electrophoresis
  • PSE
  • Serum Protein Electrophoresis with Reflex to Immunofixation and Serum Total Protein

Specimen Required

Preferred Container/Tube: Gold SST Top
Acceptable Container/Tube: Gold SST Top
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Refrigerated: 10 days

Rejection Due To

  • Hemolysis
  • Aged samples
  • Improperly stored samples
  • Plasma specimens

Reference Values

FEMALE MALE

Protein Total
0-30 days: 4.2-6.2 g/dL
31-182 days: 4.4-6.6 g/dL
183-365 days: 5.6-7.9 g/dL
1-18 years: 5.7-8.0 g/dL
19+ years: 6.4-8.3 g/dL

 

Albumin
3.5-5.0 g/dL

 

Alpha 1
0.2-0.4 g/dL

 

Alpha 2
0.5-1.0 g/dL

 

Beta
0.5-1.1 g/dL

 

Gamma
0.6-1.5 g/dL

Protein Total
0-30 days: 4.1-6.3 g/dL
31-182 days: 4.7-6.7 g/dL
183-365 days: 5.5-7.0 g/dL
1-18 years: 5.7-8.0 g/dL
19+ years: 6.4-8.3 g/dL

 

Albumin
3.5-5.0 g/dL

 

Alpha 1
0.2-0.4 g/dL

 

Alpha 2
0.5-1.0 g/dL

 

Beta
0.5-1.1 g/dL

 

Gamma
0.6-1.5 g/dL

Method Description

PSE
Capillary electrophoresis

 

PROTEIN
Colorimetric with cupric ions in an alkaline solution

Performing Lab

Clinical Lab UH

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday (excludes OSU holidays)

Report Available

3 to 5 days

Reporting Name

Serum Total Protein
Protein Electrophoresis

CPT Code Information

84165

LOINC Code Information

2885-2
1751-7
2865-4
2868-8
2871-2
2874-6
12851-2
50595-8