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Serum protein electrophoresis is one of the commonly used testing methods in the diagnosis and monitoring of many health problems. However, the significance of serum protein electrophoresis is not well understood.1. What is serum protein electrophoresis test?
Serum protein electrophoresis test (English name: Serum Protein Electrophoresis - SPEP) is a test method conducted to measure specific proteins in the blood, thereby providing the basis for the diagnosis of a number of diseases.Amino acids are the smaller components that help form proteins. Proteins can carry a positive or negative charge, so when placed in an electric field they will move. Serum protein electrophoresis is a technique that uses an electric field to separate proteins into groups that are similar in shape, size or area.
Serum consists of two groups of proteins, mainly Albumin and Globulin. Both of these groups are responsible for transporting substances in the blood. With serum protein electrophoresis assay, these two groups of proteins can be separated into 5 subgroups:
Albumin Alpha-1 (A1) Alpha-2 Globulin (A2) Beta Globulin (B) Gamma Globulin (G) The speed of migration in the electric field of each group of proteins is different. The movement of proteins together forms a pattern, which is used to help identify and diagnose certain diseases.
2. Indication for serum protein electrophoresis test
Usually, the patient is usually prescribed by the doctor to do a serum protein electrophoresis test in case of suspicion and need to monitor and diagnose some diseases such as:
Liver and kidney diseases Related problems to the immune system Poor nutrition problems Cancers
3. What diseases does serum protein electrophoresis diagnose?
Serum protein electrophoresis is usually only effective in diagnosing diseases related to changes in plasma protein composition, including mainly Albumin and Globulin (Alpha 1, Alpha 2, Beta, Gamma) . Specifically:
Multiple myeloma (Kahler disease, Myeloma): serum protein electrophoresis test can help to quantify specific abnormal antibodies in the blood such as M protein or paraprotein. Some common complications of multiple myeloma include hypercalcemia, anemia, and kidney failure. Acute hepatitis, cirrhosis: Albumin decreased, Gamma Globulin increased. Nephrotic syndrome: simply (A2 Globulin and B Globulin in the blood increased, while G Globulin decreased) and not alone (all 3 indexes A2, B, G Globulin increased). Pulmonary tuberculosis: if G Globulin and A2 Globulin are both increased.
4. Significance of serum protein electrophoresis test index
The results of the serum protein electrophoresis test are calculated as a percentage of each protein group over the total amount of serum protein. Besides, the doctor will also conduct a test to measure total serum protein to get the actual amount of each part.
4.1 Normal values Depending on the laboratory, the normal value of serum protein electrophoresis can be more or less different. However, most normal values are in the following range:
Albumin: 3.8 to 5.0g/dL (38 - 50g/L SI units) A1 Globulin: 0.1 - 0.3g/dL (1 - 3g/L in SI units) A2 Globulin: 0.6 - 1.0 g/dL (6 - 10g/L in SI units) B Globulin: 0.7 - 1.4 g/dL (7 - 14g/L in SI units) SI units) G Globulin: 0.7 - 1.6 g/dL (7 - 16g/L SI units)
4.2 High Value For people with high serum protein electrophoresis values it can be a sign of several problems such as:
High albumin: Dehydration A1 High Globulin: inflammation or infection High A2 Globulin: inflammation or kidney diseases High B Globulin: iron deficiency anemia (low iron), very high cholesterol levels High G Globulin: inflammation, infection, liver problems or cancer. 4.3 Low value Not only is the value high, but the blood protein electrophoresis results also show that the patient's health is affected if the value is low.
Low albumin: inflammation, liver and kidney related diseases and poor nutrition. Low A1 Globulin: severe inflammation, liver diseases. Low A2 Globulin: thyroid-related problems or liver disease. Low B Globulin: poor nutrition. Low G Globulin: The immune system is affected.
5. Some factors affecting serum protein electrophoresis test
During the serum protein electrophoresis test, the results may be affected by certain factors, so the patient should pay attention and notify the doctor if one of the following cases occurs: :
People with hyperlipidemia (with high lipid content) Patients with iron deficiency anemia Women in pregnancy People who are taking certain medications such as insulin, corticosteroids, oral contraceptives or cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) Above Here are some things you need to know about serum protein electrophoresis values. However, patients do not need to worry too much if they do not understand clearly because usually after the test results are available, the doctor will specifically explain the meaning of the indicators and draw conclusions about the condition. each person's disease.
Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline here for support.
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