Serum globulin electrophoresis is a laboratory test that looks at proteins called globulins in the blood.

See also:

• Immunoelectrophoresis - serum
• Protein electrophoresis - serum

Globulin electrophoresis

Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.

Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.

The blood sample is sent to a lab. The fluid part of blood (serum) is placed on specially treated paper and exposed to an electric current. The proteins move on the paper to form bands that show the amount of each protein fraction in relation to the other protein fractions.

Fast for 4 hours before the test. The health care provider may advise you to stop taking drugs that can interfere with the test. Do NOT stop taking any medications without first telling your health care provider.

Drugs that can affect the measurement of serum proteins include chlorpromazine, corticosteroids, isoniazid, neomycin, phenacemide, salicylates, sulfonamides, and tolbutamide.

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

This test is performed to look at globulin proteins in the blood. Identifying the types of globulins can help diagnose certain disorders.

Globulins are roughly divided into three groups: alpha, beta, and gamma globulins. Gamma globulines include various types of antibodies such as immunoglobulins (Ig) M, G, and A.

Certain diseases are associated with overproduction of immunoglobulins. For example, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia is a cancer of certain white blood cell that is associated with the overproduction IgM antibodies.

• Serum globulin: 2.0 to 3.5 g/dL
• IgM component: 75 to 300 mg/dL
• IgG component: 650 to 1850 mg/dL
• IgA component: 90 to 350 mg/dL

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

Increased gamma globulin proteins may indicate:

• Acuteinfection
• Chronicinflammatory disease (for example, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus)
• Hyperimmunization
• Multiple myeloma
• Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia

There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling light-headed
• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

McPherson R. Specific proteins. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2006:chap 19.

Tricot G. Multiple Myeloma. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 87.

This test measures the types of protein in the fluid (serum) part of a blood sample.

See also:

• Immunoelectrophoresis - serum
• Immunofixation - serum
• Serum globulin electrophoresis

Lipoprotein electrophoresis

A blood sample is needed. For information on giving a blood sample from a vein, see venipuncture.

Electrophoresis is a laboratory technique. The blood serum (the liquid part of the blood without the cells) is placed on specially treated paper and exposed to an electric current. The proteins in the serum move on the paper to form bands that show the proportion of each protein fraction. A fraction may contain several different types of proteins.

Individual proteins, except albumin, are not usually measured. However, protein fractions or groups ARE measured. The levels of protein fractions can be estimated by measuring the total serum protein and then multiplying that by the relative percentage of each protein fraction.

Lipoprotein electrophoresis is a type of protein electrophoresis that determines the amount of proteins made up of protein and fat, called lipoproteins (such as LDL cholesterol).

You may be asked not to eat or drink for 12 hours before a lipoprotein electrophoresis test.

Your health care provider may ask you to stop taking drugs that could affect the test. Do not stop taking any medications without first talking to your health care provider.

Drugs that can affect the measurement of total proteins include chlorpromazine, corticosteroids, isoniazid, neomycin, phenacemide, salicylates, sulfonamides, and tolbutamide.

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Proteins are made from amino acids and are important components of all cells and tissues. There are many different kinds of proteins in the body with many different functions. Examples of proteins include enzymes, certain hormones, hemoglobin, low-density lipoprotein ("bad" cholesterol), and others.

Serum proteins are classified as albumin or globulins. Albumin is the protein of highest concentration in the serum. It carries many small molecules, but is also important for keeping fluid from leaking out from the blood vessels into the tissues.

Globulins are divided into alpha-1, alpha-2, beta, and gamma globulins. In general, alpha and gamma globulin protein levels increase when there is inflammation in the body.

• Total protein: 6.4 to 8.3 g/dL
• Albumin: 3.5 to 5.0 g/dL
• Alpha-1 globulin: 0.1 to 0.3 g/dL
• Alpha-2 globulin: 0.6 to 1.0 g/dL
• Beta globulin: 0.7 to 1.2 g/dL
• Gamma globulin: 0.7 to 1.6 g/dL

Note: g/dL = grams per deciliter

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

Decreased total protein may indicate:

• Cirrhosis
• Malnutrition
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Gastrointestinal protein-losing enteropathy

Increased alpha-1 globulin proteins may be due to:

• Acute inflammatory disease
• Cancer
• Chronic inflammatory disease (for example, rheumatoid arthritis, SLE)

Decreased alpha-1 globulin proteins may be a sign of:

• Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Increased alpha-2 globulin proteins may indicate:

• Acute inflammation
• Chronic inflammation

Decreased alpha-2 globulin proteins may indicate:

• Hemolysis

Increased beta globulin proteins may indicate:

• Hyperlipoproteinemia (for example, familial hypercholesterolemia)
• Estrogen therapy

Decreased beta globulin proteins may indicate:

• Congenital coagulation disorder
• Consumptive coagulopathy
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation

Increased gamma globulin proteins may indicate:

• Multiple myeloma
• Chronic inflammatory disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, SLE)
• Hyperimmunization
• Acute infection
• Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia
• Chronic liver disease

Note: Blood test results may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling light-headed
• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

McPherson R. Specific proteins. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2006:chap 19.