Serum globulin electrophoresis

What is Serum Globulin Electrophoresis?

Serum globulin electrophoresis is a laboratory test that detects abnormal levels of the proteins made by your body, called globulins. Technically, it's known as total protein electrophoresis. This test can detect both increased and decreased globulin levels, depending on the findings.

Preparation for Serum Globulin Electrophoresis

Blood is the sample used for serum globulin electrophoresis. This test requires special preparation. As with any blood test, your doctor may advise you to fast for 8 hours before the test. This allows the interpretation to be more accurate. In addition, your doctor may advise woman to avoid taking any hormone pills the day of the test.

Procedure for Serum Globulin Electrophoresis

The procedure for serum globulin electrophoresis is fairly straightforward. First, your blood sample is placed in a special machine called an electrophoresis chamber. In the chamber, the sample is exposed to an electrical current. When this happens, the proteins in the sample separate and form several separate bands according to their size and electrical charge. These bands are then analyzed and compared to a reference sample, to determine if there are any abnormal results.

Types of Serum Globulin Electrophoresis

There are two main types of serum globulin electrophoresis, immunofixation and isoelectric focusing. Immunofixation uses antibodies to bind to specific proteins that are present in the sample. This allows the lab to identify the types and amounts of the various proteins. Isoelectric focusing is a more complex method and is not routinely used in the clinical setting.

Risks of Serum Globulin Electrophoresis

Serum globulin electrophoresis is generally very safe and poses minimal risk to patients. There may be some minor discomfort associated with drawing blood for the test, but this is usually minor. On rare occasions, an infection may develop at the site of the blood draw.

Why is Serum Globulin Electrophoresis Done?

Serum globulin electrophoresis is typically done to detect an abnormality in the levels of proteins in the blood. This may indicate a condition such as multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, or monoclonal gammopathy. The test may also be ordered if there are signs of inflammation or infection, or if there are any genetic disorders present.

When is Serum Globulin Electrophoresis Ordered?

A doctor may order serum globulin electrophoresis when there is a suspicion of an underlying health condition or a certain disease is suspected. It may also be ordered as screening for certain disorders, or to monitor the effectiveness of treatments for conditions such as multiple myeloma or inflammation disorders.