Synonyms
Immunology Profile
Clinical Significance
It is useful for Screening patients with suspected monoclonal gammopathies, Diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathies, when used in conjunction with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and free light chain analysis.
Specimen
Serum
Stability
Refrigerated (preferred) : 7 days
Frozen : 14 days
Ambient : 7 days
Reference Range
| Fractions | Reference % |
|---|---|
| Albumin | 55.8-66.1 |
| Alpha 1 | 2.9-4.9 |
| Alpha 2 | 7.1-11.8 |
| Beta 1 | 4.7-7.2 |
| Beta 2 | 3.2-6.5 |
| Gamma | 11.1-18.8 |
Interpretation
| Electrophoretic zone/region | Major Proteins | May be decreased in: | May be increased in: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albumin | * Albumin | * Mainutrition and maiabsorption * Kidney disease (nephrotic syndrome) * Liver disease * Inflammatory conditions |
* Dehydration |
| Alpha 1 | * Alpha-1 antitrypsin * Alpha-1 acid glycoprotein * High density lipoprotein (HDL) |
* Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency * Server liver disease |
* Inflammatory diseases |
| Alpha 2 | * Alpha 2 macrogiobulin * Ceruloplasmin * Haptoglobin |
* Mainutrition * Server liver disease * RBC destruction (hemolysis) |
* Kidney disease (nephrotic syndrome) * Acute or chronic inflammatory disease |
| Beta (1 and 2) | * Transferrin * C3 (component of complement) * Low density lipoprotein (LDL) * Beta-2 microglobulin |
* Mainutrition * Autoimmune diseases |
* High blood choiesterol * Iron deficiency anemia * Some cases of multiple myeioma or monocional gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) |
| Gamma | * Antibodies (immunoglobulins,IgA,IgG,IgD,IgM,IgE) * C-reactive protein (CRP) * Fibrinogen |
* Variety of gentic immune disorders * Secondary immune deficiency |
* Polycloni, antibody produced by or derived from different plasma cells: * Chronic inflammatory disease * Rheumatoid arthritis * Lupus * Cirrhosis * Chronic liver disease * Infections * Recent immunization * Monocional, antibody produced by or derived from a single type (clone) of plasma cell: * Malignancy * Multiple myeloma * Lymphoma * Waldenstrom macroglobuilnemia * MGUS |
Limitation
Immunizations within the previous six months can increase antibodies (immunoglobulins), as can drugs such as phenytoin (Dilantin), procainamide, oral contraceptives, methadone, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IV Ig) and anti-cancer immunotherapy. Aspirin, bicarbonates, chlorpromazine (Thorazine), corticosteroids, and neomycin can affect protein electrophoresis results.