Immunoelectrophoresis - urine

Urine immunoelectrophoresis is a lab test that measures immunoglobulins in a urine sample.

Immunoglobulins are proteins that function as antibodies, which fight infection. There are many types of immunoglobulins that fight different types of infections. Some immunoglobulins can be abnormal and may be due to some types of cancer.

Antibodies

An antibody is a protein produced by the body's immune system when it detects harmful substances, called antigens. Examples of antigens include micr...

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Immunoglobulins can also be measured in the blood.

Blood

Serum immunoelectrophoresis is a lab test that measures proteins called immunoglobulins in the blood. Immunoglobulins are proteins that function as ...

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How the Test is Performed

A clean-catch urine sample is needed. The clean-catch method is used to prevent germs from the penis or vagina from getting into a urine sample. To collect your urine, your health care provider may give you a special clean-catch kit that contains a cleansing solution and sterile wipes. Follow instructions exactly.

After you provide a urine sample, it is sent to the lab. There, a lab specialist will place the urine sample on special paper and apply an electric current. The various proteins move and form visible bands, which reveal the amounts of each protein.

How to Prepare for the Test

Your provider may ask you to collect the first morning urine, which is the most concentrated.

If you are taking the collection from an infant, you may need extra collection bags.

How the Test will Feel

The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.

Why the Test is Performed

This test is used to measure the amounts of various immunoglobulins in urine. Most often, it is done after a large amount of protein is found in the urine.

Normal Results

Normally there is no protein, or only a small amount of protein in the urine. When there is protein in the urine, it normally consists of mainly albumin.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Immunoglobulin in the urine can result from:

• Amyloidosis (buildup of abnormal proteins in tissues and organs)

  Amyloidosis

  Primary amyloidosis is a rare disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. Clumps of the abnormal proteins are called amyloid...

  

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• Leukemia (cancer of the bone marrow)

  Leukemia

  Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of the bones, where blood cells are ...

  

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• Waldenström macroglobulinemia (a type of lymphoma)

  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...

  

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• Lymphoma (cancer of the lymph tissue)
• Monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS, a type of blood disorder)
• Multiple myeloma (a type of blood cancer)

  Multiple myeloma

  Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that starts in the plasma cells in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue found inside most bone...

  

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• Other cancers
• Infection
• Kidney disorders such as IgA nephropathy or IgM nephropathy

  IgA nephropathy

  IgA nephropathy is a kidney disorder in which antibodies (called IgA) build up in kidney tissue. Nephropathy is damage, disease, or other problems w...

  

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Some people have monoclonal immunoglobulins, but do not have cancer. This is called monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance, or MGUS.

Risks

There are no risks with this test.

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