Serum Protein Electrophoresis

Code:
EP

Sample Type:

Serum (Gold Top)

Minimum volume: 2 mL

Ref Ranges/Units:

2 Week Wait Haematology Referral Threshold:

  • IgG Kappa or Lambda ≥15 g/L
  • IgA Kappa or Lambda ≥10 g/L
  • IgM Kappa or Lambda ≥10 g/L
  • Any IgD or IgE Kappa or Lambda
  • Serum free light chain ratio >8 or <0.125 (or any individual free light chain >500 mg/L)

Any new band above these are telephoned to the requesting clinician.

Turnaround:

7 days from receipt (performed in routine hours)

Special Precautions/Comments:

Additional Information:

Serum protein electrophoresis is used in the screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of monoclonal gammopathies such as myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS). If a monoclonal protein is suspected (e.g. abnormal trace, new haematology patient, low immunoglobulins) further work is performed including immunofixation and/or immunotyping. Identified monoclonal bands are typed and quantified. Where possible, serum free light chains are also added to new bands.

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