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What does a serum protein electrophoresis test for?

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What does a serum protein electrophoresis test for?

Serum protein electrophoresis is used to identify patients with multiple myeloma and other serum protein disorders. Electrophoresis separates proteins based on their physical properties, and the subsets of these proteins are used in interpreting the results.

What diseases does SPEP test for?

SPEP is used to help diagnose and monitor a variety of different diseases or disorders that have abnormal proteins or protein levels….Some of the conditions that could be causing these symptoms are:

  • cancer.
  • thyroid problems.
  • diabetes.
  • anemia.
  • liver diseases.
  • malnutrition.
  • certain autoimmune diseases.
  • multiple sclerosis.

What diseases does protein electrophoresis test for?

Protein electrophoresis is a test that measures specific proteins in the blood….Protein electrophoresis can also be used to help diagnose:

  • Thyroid problems.
  • Diabetes.
  • Anemia.
  • Liver diseases.
  • Poor nutrition or inability to absorb nutrients.
  • Certain autoimmune diseases.

What does it mean when your protein electrophoresis is high?

Usually, the amount of total protein in your blood is relatively stable. High blood protein may be a symptom of underlying medical conditions, including dehydration, infections like hepatitis C or cancers like multiple myeloma.

What are serum protein disorders?

Serum protein electrophoresis is generally considered in any patient with an elevated total protein, especially those with elevated globulin level relative to albumin, or any signs and symptoms suggestive of an underlying plasma cell disorder such as multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, or primary …

What happens if serum protein is high?

High total protein: Too much protein in your blood can be a sign of chronic infection or inflammation (like HIV/AIDS or viral hepatitis). It can also be an early sign of a bone marrow disorder. Low A/G ratio: This might be the sign an autoimmune disorder, where your body’s immune system attacks healthy cells.

What is the most definitive test to confirm a diagnosis of multiple myeloma?

The complete blood count (CBC) is a test that measures the levels of red cells, white cells, and platelets in the blood. If there are too many myeloma cells in the bone marrow, some of these blood cell levels can be low. The most common finding is a low red blood cell count (anemia).

What is a normal serum protein electrophoresis?

Normal value ranges are: Total protein: 6.4 to 8.3 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or 64 to 83 grams per liter (g/L) Albumin: 3.5 to 5.0 g/dL or 35 to 50 g/L. Alpha-1 globulin: 0.1 to 0.3 g/dL or 1 to 3 g/L.

What are the symptoms of too much protein in your blood?

Symptoms associated with too much protein include:

  • intestinal discomfort and indigestion.
  • dehydration.
  • unexplained exhaustion.
  • nausea.
  • irritability.
  • headache.
  • diarrhea.

Should I be worried about high protein in blood?

A high total protein level could indicate dehydration or a certain type of cancer, such as multiple myeloma, that causes protein to accumulate abnormally. If the result of a total protein test is abnormal, further tests will be needed to identify which proteins are too high or too low.

Where does multiple myeloma start?

Doctors know that myeloma begins with one abnormal plasma cell in your bone marrow — the soft, blood-producing tissue that fills in the center of most of your bones. The abnormal cell multiplies rapidly.