What does a serum protein electrophoresis test for?

What does a serum protein electrophoresis test for?

The serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) test measures specific proteins in the blood to help identify some diseases. Proteins are substances made up of smaller building blocks called amino acids. Proteins carry a positive or a negative electrical charge, and they move in fluid when placed in an electrical field.

Is an SPE band that increased in pregnancy?

An increased β1 band is observed in iron deficiency anemia due to an increased level of free transferrin. This band may also be elevated in pregnant women.

What does abnormal serum protein mean?

When an abnormal band on either a serum or a urine electrophoresis pattern suggests the presence of a single type of immunoglobulin (monoclonal), immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) or immunosubtraction electrophoresis can be used as follow-up tests to further identify abnormal proteins.

What is normal serum protein level?

Normal Results The normal range is 6.0 to 8.3 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or 60 to 83 g/L. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What infections cause high protein in blood?

What causes high blood protein?

• Dehydration.
• Chronic (long-term) inflammation or inflammatory disorders.
• Infections caused by viruses, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS.
• Certain cancers, like multiple myeloma, sarcoidosis and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.
• Severe liver or kidney disease.

What is the normal range for serum protein?

The tests for total serum protein may be broken down into total protein, albumin , alpha-1 globulin, alpha-2 globulin, and beta globulin . The normal values of total proteins in blood plasma range from 6.4 to 8.3 grams per deciliter.

What causes low total serum protein?

Considerations. Low total serum protein levels can result from poor nutrition, impaired liver function, kidney disease, gastrointestinal disorders, exposure to toxins or any other condition that impairs protein synthesis or increases protein losses. In some cases, you may have low protein levels simply on the basis of over-hydration,…

What does serum protein electrophoresis check?

Serum protein electrophoresis is a specific electrophoresis test that is used to identify proteins, called globulins, which are present in blood serum. Some disorders that may be diagnosed using this test include cirrhosis , liver disease, anemia, and a number of different types of cancer.

What does low serum protein level mean?

Description of Total protein levels low (plasma or serum) Total protein levels low (plasma or serum): A condition in which total serum protein level is below the normal range. Hypoproteinemia can be caused by protein malabsorption in the gastrointestinal tract, EDEMA , or PROTEINURIA .