Protein electrophoresis - serum
SPEPThis lab test measures the types of protein in the fluid (serum) part of a blood sample. This fluid is called serum.
How the Test is Performed
A blood sample is needed.
Blood sample
Venipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleIn the lab, the technician places the blood sample on special paper and applies an electric current. The proteins move on the paper and form bands that show the amount of each protein.
How to Prepare for the Test
You may be asked to not eat or drink for 12 hours before this test.
Certain medicines may affect the results of this test. Your health care provider will tell you if you need to stop taking any medicines. Do not stop any medicine before talking to your provider.
How the Test will Feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.
Why the Test is Performed
Proteins are made from amino acids and are important parts of all cells and tissues. There are many different kinds of proteins in the body, and they have many different functions. Examples of proteins include enzymes, certain hormones, hemoglobin, low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or bad cholesterol), and others.
Amino acids
Amino acids are molecules that combine to form proteins. Amino acids and proteins are the building blocks of life. When proteins are digested or bro...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleHemoglobin
Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The hemoglobin test measures how much hemoglobin is in your blood.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleSerum proteins are classified as albumin or globulins. Albumin is the most abundant protein in the serum. It carries many small molecules. It is also important for keeping fluid from leaking out from the blood vessels into the tissues.
Globulins are divided into alpha-1, alpha-2, beta, and gamma globulins. In general, alpha and gamma globulin protein levels increase when there is inflammation in the body.
Lipoprotein electrophoresis determines the amount of proteins made up of protein and fat, called lipoproteins (such as LDL cholesterol).
Normal Results
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
- Alpha-2 globulin: 0.6 to 1.0 g/dL or 6 to 10 g/L
- Beta globulin: 0.7 to 1.2 g/dL or 7 to 12 g/L
- Gamma globulin: 0.7 to 1.6 g/dL or 7 to 16 g/L
The examples above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Decreased total protein may be due to:
- Abnormal loss of protein from the digestive tract or the inability of the digestive tract to absorb proteins (protein-losing enteropathy)
Protein-losing enteropathy
Protein-losing enteropathy is an abnormal loss of protein from the digestive tract. It can also refer to the inability of the digestive tract to abs...
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Malnutrition
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get enough nutrients.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome is a group of symptoms and abnormal test results that include protein in the urine, low blood protein levels in the blood, high ch...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Scarring of the liver and poor liver function (cirrhosis)
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.
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Increased alpha-1 globulin proteins may be due to:
- Acute inflammatory disease
- Cancer
- Chronic inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a long-term disease. It can also aff...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleSystemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It c...
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Decreased alpha-1 globulin proteins may be a sign of:
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Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency
Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency
Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a condition in which the body does not make enough of AAT, a protein that protects the lungs and liver from d...
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Increased alpha-2 globulin proteins may indicate:
- Acute inflammation
- Chronic inflammation
Decreased alpha-2 globulin proteins may indicate:
- Breakdown of red blood cells (hemolysis)
Increased beta globulin proteins may indicate:
- A disorder in which the body has problems breaking down fats (for example, hyperlipoproteinemia, familial hypercholesterolemia)
Hyperlipoproteinemia
Cholesterol is a fat (also called a lipid) that your body needs to work properly. Too much bad cholesterol in your blood can increase your chance of...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleFamilial hypercholesterolemia
Familial hypercholesterolemia is a disorder that is passed down through families. It causes LDL (bad) cholesterol level to be very high. The condit...
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Decreased beta globulin proteins may indicate:
- Abnormally low level of LDL cholesterol
LDL cholesterol
Cholesterol is a soft, wax-like substance found in all parts of the body. Your body needs a little bit of cholesterol to work properly. But too muc...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Malnutrition
Increased gamma globulin proteins may indicate:
- Blood cancers, including multiple myeloma, Waldenström macroglobulinemia, lymphomas, and chronic lymphocytic leukemias
Waldenström macroglobulinemia
Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a cancer of the B lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). WM is associated with the overproduction of protei...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS)
- Chronic inflammatory disease (for example, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus)
- Acute infection
- Chronic liver disease
Liver disease
The term "liver disease" applies to many conditions that stop the liver from working or prevent it from functioning well. Abdominal pain or swelling...
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Risks
There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another, and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
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Fainting or feeling lightheaded
Fainting
Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood flow to the brain. The episode most often lasts less than a couple of minutes and y...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Multiple punctures to locate veins
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Hematoma (blood buildup under the skin)
Hematoma
A bruise is an area of skin discoloration. A bruise occurs when small blood vessels break and leak their contents into the soft tissue beneath the s...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
References
Lu SX, Rustad EH, Usmani SZ, Landgren CO. Multiple myeloma. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 91.
Pincus MR, Bluth MH, Brandt-Rauf PW, Bowne WB, LaDoulis C. Oncoproteins and early tumor detection. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 77.
Rajkumar SV, Dispenzieri A. Multiple myeloma and related disorders. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 101.
Warner EA, Herold AH. Interpreting laboratory tests. In: Rakel RE, Rakel DP, eds. Textbook of Family Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 14.
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Blood test - illustration
Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.
Blood test
illustration
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Blood test - illustration
Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.
Blood test
illustration
Review Date: 3/31/2024
Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.