Serum Protein Electrophoresis Test

1) Summary

Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) is a laboratory technique that is used to determine the amounts of some types of proteins in a blood sample. There are a number of reasons why a doctor may order this test. SPEP is used to help diagnose and monitor a variety of different ailments or disorders that have abnormal proteins or protein amounts. Electrophoresis isn't ordinarily used by itself to diagnose a disorder. On the contrary, it's used along with other laboratory tests to provide more information to help with diagnosis.

Understanding serum protein electrophoresis

Among the greatest ways to get a better sense of the SPEP test is to look at each word in the title:

Serum

Serum is the liquid portion of your own blood. Blood appears to be a single substance into the naked eye. But, blood has a lot of components. The two kinds of blood cells (white and red ) and platelets are solids. This can be serum.

Protein

Proteins are substances made of small chemicals called amino acids. They have a number of roles:
They supply structure to the body.

Too much or too little protein can cause problems. 

The five types of proteins generally considered during an SPEP test are:

Albumin: This protein transports compounds and plays a role in tissue growth and repair.
Alpha-1 globulins: The significant alpha-1 globulin is known as alpha-1-antitrypsin, which is produced by the liver and lungs and increases inflammatory diseases.
Alpha-2 globulins: This class of protein has several functions in the body and is involved in inflammation.
Beta globulins: These proteins proceed materials, support resistance, and increase in number in multiple myeloma and conditions such as high cholesterol and atherosclerosis.
Gamma globulins: These help the immune system and also therefore are increased in multiple myeloma, as well as some autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Electrophoresis

Electrophoresis is a laboratory technique used to different groups of proteins in blood serum. This allows them to be measured and analyzed individually. It involves exposing serum placed in a distinctive sort of gel to an electric current. This causes the different types of proteins to maneuver and group together. The proteins create separate bands on the gel, which can be subsequently analyzed by the lab.

What the SPEP evaluation is utilized for
Your doctor may recommend SPEP if you are experiencing symptoms of an illness affecting the proteins in your blood serum. These symptoms could include the following:

unexplained weight loss
fatigue
weakness
nausea
constipation
back pain

A number of those conditions that may be causing these signs are:

Cancer
Thyroid Issues
diabetes
anemia
Liver diseases
Malnutrition
Certain autoimmune diseases
When you arrive, a healthcare professional will simply use a needle to take a blood sample. Some people experience mild discomfort once the needle is inserted. There may be some minor bruising afterward.

Overview

Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) is a laboratory technique that's used to determine the amounts of several kinds of proteins in a blood sample. There are a range of reasons why a physician may order this test. SPEP is used to diagnose and track many different different diseases or disorders that have abnormal proteins or protein amounts. Electrophoresis is not ordinarily used by itself to diagnose a disorder. On the contrary, it's used along with other lab tests to provide more information to aid with diagnosis.

Understanding serum protein electrophoresis
Among the greatest ways to get a better awareness of the SPEP test would be to look at each word in the name:

Serum
Serum is the fluid portion of your blood. Blood appears to be a single substance to the bare eye. However, blood has several components. The two kinds of blood cells (white and red ) and platelets are all solids. When these are removed, a liquid is left behind. This can be serum.
Protein
Proteins are substances made of little chemicals called amino acids. They have a number of functions:

They provide structure to your system. The five groups of proteins usually considered through an SPEP test are:

Alpha-1 globulins: The significant alpha-1 globulin is known as alpha-1-antitrypsin, which is made by the lungs and liver and increases with inflammatory diseases.
Alpha-2 globulins: This type of protein has many functions within the body and is involved in inflammation.
Beta globulins: These proteins move compounds, support immunity, and increase in number in multiple myeloma and ailments such as high cholesterol and atherosclerosis.
Gamma globulins: All these support the immune system and also therefore are raised in multiple myeloma, in addition to some autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Electrophoresis

Electrophoresis is a lab technique used to separate groups of proteins in blood serum. This allows them to be measured and analyzed individually. It entails exposing serum placed in a special sort of gel into an electric current. This causes the different forms of proteins to maneuver and group collectively. The proteins produce different bands on the gel, which are then examined by the lab.
What the SPEP test is used for
Your doctor may recommend SPEP if you are experiencing symptoms of a condition affecting the proteins in your blood serum. These symptoms could include the following:

unexplained weight loss
fatigue
weakness
nausea
constipation
back pain

A number of the conditions that could be causing those symptoms are:

Cancer
Thyroid problems
diabetes
anemia
Liver diseases
Malnutrition

No preparation is required for the test. When you arrive, a healthcare professional will simply use a needle to take a blood sample. Some people experience mild pain when the needle is inserted. There could be some slight bruising afterward. Check This Out m protein

Business Name: Helena Laboratories
Address: 1530 Lindbergh Dr, Beaumont, TX 77707, United States
Phone No: +1 409-842-3714