Additional Information:
UFHPL Epic order code: LAB119
Absolute values (g/dL) should be used for interpretation instead of relative percentages (%).
CPT Code(s):
84156, 84166
Specimen Requirements:
Type: Serum
Container/Tube: Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube
Sample Volume: 2mL
Minimum Volume: 1 mL
Storage: Refrigerate specimens at 2° – 8°C.
Causes for Rejection:
- Hemolysis
- Plasma instead of serum
Use:
This test is primarily used to detect monoclonal gammopathies, which are commonly found in association with hemic neoplasms, especially multiple myeloma, as well as other benign and malignant conditions. Any such protein detected should be identified by an alternative technique, like immunofixation or immunoelectrophoresis.
Other applications of this test include the evaluation of:
- Albumin
- α1-globulin
- α2-globulin
- β-globulin
- γ-globulin
- Total protein
- Globulin
- A:G ratio
Methodology:
Capillary Electrophoresis
Reported:
4 – 6 days
Reference Values:
- Albumin: 3.2 – 5.6 g/dL
- α1-globulin: 0.1 – 0.4 g/dL
- α2-globulin: 0.4 – 1.2 g/dL
- β-globulin: 0.6 – 1.3 g/dL
- γ-globulin: 0.5 – 1.6 g/dL
- Total protein: 6.0 – 8.5 g/dL
- Globulin: 2.0 – 4.5 g/dL
- A:G ratio: 0.7 – 2.0
| Electrophoretic Zones | ||||||
| Pattern Description |
Total Protein (g/dL) | Albumin (g/dL) | α1 (g/dL) |
α2 (g/dL) |
β (g/dL) |
γ (g/dL) |
| Normal | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Hemolysis | α2/β bridging | |||||
| Protein-losing syndromes |
– | – | N+ | N+ | N- | -N+ |
| Nephrotic syndrome |
– | – | N | +++ | N | N- |
| Hypogammaglobulinemia | N- | N | N | N | N | – |
| Agammaglobulinemia | N- | N | N | N | N | Absent |
| Diffuse hepatocellular degeneration |
N- | – | – | – | – | N+ |
| Polyclonal gammopathy |
N+ | N- | N | N | N | + |
| Chronic inflammatory response |
N+ | N- | N+ | + | N | + |
| Acute inflammatory response |
N | N- | + | + | N | N- |
| Subacute inflammatory response |
N | N- | N | = | N | N |
| Hepatic cirrhosis | -N+ | – | N | N- | β/γ bridging | |
| Hypo-α1-globulinemia | N | N | – | N | N | N |
| Monoclonal gammopathy (γ) | N+ | N- | N | N | N | (M-spike) |
| Monoclonal gammopathy (β) | N+ | N- | N | N | (M-spike) | N- |
| Biclonal gammopathy (γ, β or both) |
N+ | N- | N | N | (M-spike) | (M-spike) |
| Oligoclonal bands | N | N- | N+ | N+ | N | Oligo banding |
| Bisalbuminemia | Split peak | |||||
| Hypoalbuminemia | N- | – | N | N | N | N |
Legend
- Normal: N
- Elevated: +
- Decreased: -|
- Normal-to-elevated: N+
- Normal-to-decreased: N-
- Decreased-to-normal-to-elevated: –N+