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A urine protein electrophoresis is a test that estimates how much of certain proteins you have in your urine.
See also:
Alternative NamesUrine protein electrophoresis; UPEP
How the test is performedA clean-catch (midstream) urine sample is needed.
Men or boys should first wipe clean the head of the penis. Women or girls need to wash the area between the lips of the vagina with soapy water and rinse well.
As you start to urinate, allow a small amount to fall into the toilet bowl (this clears the urethra of contaminants). Then, in a clean container, catch about 1 to 2 ounces of urine and remove the container from the urine stream. Give the container to the health care provider or assistant.
In infants, thoroughly wash the area around the urethra. Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end), and place it on your infant. For boys, the entire penis can be placed in the bag and the adhesive attached to the skin. For girls, the bag is placed over the labia. Place a diaper over the infant (bag and all).
Check your baby frequently and remove the bag after the infant has urinated into it. For active infants, this procedure may take a couple of attempts -- lively infants can displace the bag. The urine is drained into a container for transport back to the health care provider.
The laboratory specialist will place the urine sample on special paper and apply an electric current. The various proteins move and form visible bands, which reveal the general amounts of each protein.
How to prepare for the testYour health care provider may tell you to stop taking certain medicines that could interfere with the test. Medicines that can affect test results include:
- Chlorpromazine
- Corticosteroids
- Isoniazid
- Neomycin
- Phenacemide
- Salicylates
- Sulfonamides
- Tolbutamide
Never stop taking any medication without first talking to your health care provider.
How the test will feelThis test involves only normal urination. There is no discomfort.
Why the test is performedOnly small amounts of protein are normally found in the urine. The presence of protein in the urine can be a sign of many different disorders.
Urine protein electrophoresis may be recommended to help determine the cause of protein in the urine, or as a screening test to measure the various proteins in urine. Urine protein electrophoresis detects two types of protein: albumin and globulins.
Normal ValuesNo significant amount of globulins in the urine. Urine albumin is less than 5 mg/dL.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results mean- Acuteinflammation
- Amyloidosis
- Decreased kidney function
- Diabetic nephropathy
- Kidney failure
- Multiple myeloma
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Acute urinary tract infection
There are no risks associated with this test.
ReferencesMcPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006.
What else can I help you with?
What color test tube for protein electrophoresis?
For protein electrophoresis, a clear or colorless test tube is typically used. This allows for easy visualization of the protein bands after electrophoresis is complete. Any other colored test tube could interfere with accurate observation and analysis of the results.
What color tube do you use to draw Protein electrophoresis?
Typically, a lavender or purple-top tube is used to collect a blood sample for protein electrophoresis testing. These tubes contain EDTA as an anticoagulant to prevent clotting and preserve the blood sample for analysis.
What is considered a high level of protein in urine?
A high level of protein in urine, known as proteinuria, is usually defined as levels above 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) in a 24-hour urine sample or above 30 milligrams per deciliter in a random urine sample. High levels of protein in urine can be indicative of kidney dysfunction or other underlying health conditions.
What is the organic compound found in the urine and derived from the breakdown of protein?
Urea is the organic compound found in urine that is derived from the breakdown of protein. It is produced in the liver and excreted by the kidneys.
How would a high-protein diet affect the pH of the urine?
A high-protein diet can increase the acidity of urine due to the metabolism of proteins, which results in the production of acidic byproducts like sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid. This can lower the pH of urine and make it more acidic.
What lab department does protein electrophoresis?
The Clinical Chemistry Section of a Hospital Pathology Laboratory will prpbably undertake protein electrophoresis on the blood samples from patients.
What lab tests are used to test for the presence of protein?
Common lab tests used to test for the presence of protein include a serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) test, a urine protein test, and a total protein test. These tests can help diagnose conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, or protein deficiencies.
What has the author A J Houtsmuller written?
A. J. Houtsmuller has written: 'Agarose-gel-electrophoresis of lipoproteins' -- subject(s): Blood protein electrophoresis, Electrophoresis, Gel electrophoresis, Lipoproteins
What color test tube for protein electrophoresis?
For protein electrophoresis, a clear or colorless test tube is typically used. This allows for easy visualization of the protein bands after electrophoresis is complete. Any other colored test tube could interfere with accurate observation and analysis of the results.
What happens to protein charge if pH value becomes lower than pi in 2 dimensional gel electrophoresis?
If the pH value becomes lower than the protein's isoelectric point (pI) in 2D gel electrophoresis, the protein will acquire a net positive charge due to the excess of protons. This will cause the protein to move towards the cathode during electrophoresis.
Does urine have more protein than protein shakes?
Urine should certainly not contain more protein in it than a protein shake. If there are too high levels of protein in the urine, it is known as proteinuria.
Difference between vertical and horizontal gel electrophoresis?
Horizantal gel electrophoresis is generally used for RNA/DNA based studies, while vertical gel electrophoresis is used for protein based studies.
What is cause of faster protein migration in electrophoresis?
The main factors that can cause faster protein migration in electrophoresis are higher voltage, smaller pore size of the gel matrix, and lower molecular weight of the protein. These factors can increase the speed at which proteins move through the gel during electrophoresis.
What has the author Samantha Bradd written?
Samantha Bradd has written: 'Protein electrophoresis'
What is protein marker and what is its use in electrophoresis?
A protein marker is a mixture of proteins of known sizes that is run alongside unknown samples in electrophoresis. It is used as a reference to help estimate the size of the unknown proteins based on their migration pattern in the gel. This allows researchers to determine the size of proteins in their samples and compare them to standards.
How do you calculate protein amount in 24 hr urine?
urine protein X 24 hr urine volume/ 100
What is a gel electrophoresis is not used for?
Gel electrophoresis is not typically used for determining the function of proteins or for studying protein-protein interactions. It is primarily used to separate and analyze DNA, RNA, or proteins based on their size and charge.
