Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Protein electrophoresis allows you to determine the amount of individual protein fractions in the blood serum. The test is most often used in the diagnosis of liver and blood diseases. The diagnosis of an abnormal protein (paraprotein, monoclonal protein) indicates the presence of the disease. More research is needed to diagnose this disease.
Protein electrophoresis in blood serum
Testing the total protein in the blood serum allows you to make a preliminary determination of the patient’s health. The majority of proteins are produced in the liver, therefore the total protein allows to determine its efficiency. Too much protein in the serum may indicate the presence of cancer cells, which are producing them in excess. Protein electrophoresis tests cause proteins to be divided into fractions. Particular types differ from each other in the speed of movement in an electric field. The study determines their percentage and quantity. In addition, it provides other detailed information about the proteins in the urine. Excess or deficiency of proteins in individual fractions may indicate selected disease entities.
Electrophoresis divides proteins into the following fractions:
- albumin,
- α1-globuliny,
- α2-globuliny,
- β-globuliny,
- γ-globulinity.
Indications for serum protein electrophoresis
1. Suspicion and differentiation of diseases of the hematopoietic system.
2. Suspicion of neoplastic disease.
3. Administration of immunosuppressive drugs.
4. Chronic inflammation (chronic hepatitis, joint inflammation).
5. Chronic infections (tuberculosis, malaria).
6. Tissue necrosis (myocardial infarction, tumor breakdown).
7. Nephrotic syndrome.
8. Suspicion of congenital disorders of protein production.
9. Suspected autoimmune diseases or acute and chronic infections.
10. Presence of symptoms such as bone pain, anemia, unexplained bone fractures, fatigue, and chronic infections that may be indicative of multiple myeloma.
11. Monitoring the treatment and its effectiveness in people suffering from multiple myeloma.
Protein electrophoresis in blood serum – study
Test material: serum. Blood is collected in an EDTA tube, after prior skin disinfection and putting a pressure band on the hand. Blood collection takes a few / several seconds.
Preparation for the test: the patient should be on an empty stomach (at least 8 hours). Blood sampling is recommended in the morning. Incorrect preparation for the test may cause the result to be distorted. Thus, it is not recommended for 2-3 days prior to having an alcohol drinking test. Twelve hours before the test, you should refrain from drinking coffee. In the morning you can drink water, but no more than a glass. The laboratory test value may also be affected by moderate physical exertion, such as climbing stairs. Therefore, before performing it, you should rest for at least 10 minutes.
The course of the study: one-time blood sampling from a vein in the arm.
Time to wait for the result: 1 Day.
Standards:
- albumin – 55-65% of total protein,
- α1-globulin – 3-5% of total protein,
- α2-globulin – 7-10% of total protein,
- ß-globulin – 9-13% of total protein,
- γ-globulins – 14-20% of total protein.
Comments:Changes in the concentration of protein fractions are called dysproteinemia. The appearance of an additional, abnormal protein is called paraproteinemia. The presence of additional protein is found in some proliferative diseases – in the course of multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom’s disease. In people who are administered immunosuppressants and in the course of cancer, there may be a decrease in the production of immune proteins – then we observe a decrease in the γ-globulin fraction.
Serum protein electrophoresis – interpretation
An abnormal proteinogram result may suggest the presence of a disease entity. It depends on the increase or decrease of individual protein fractions. What does the increase in selected factions indicate?
- α1-globulin, α2-globulin – acute inflammation
- β-globulin, γ-globulin – chronic inflammatory process,
- γ-globulin – its increase suggests the presence of multiple myeloma, hepatitis or cirrhosis.
Excessive amount of α2-globulin, β-globulin, and a decrease in γ-globulin may suggest the presence of nephrotic syndrome. The increase in albumin is usually caused by dehydration, while their decrease may be a consequence of:
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- malnutrition,
- overactive thyroid gland
- malabsorption and digestion disorders,
- congenital defects in protein synthesis,
- cancer.
As for total protein, the cause of its increase is sometimes dehydration, multiple myeloma, and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. In turn, its decrease is associated with nephrotic syndrome, malnutrition and liver damage.
Important!
In each case, the test result should be consulted with the attending physician. When making a final diagnosis, he should take into account other factors as well.