Clinical Biochemistry

Protein electrophoresis (paraprotein screen)

Test Background
Electrophoresis of serum proteins facilitates screening and diagnosis of haematological malignancy. Serum protein electrophoresis may also have some value in monitoring of inflammatory responses, assessment of nutritional status and detection of specific protein abnormalities such as A1AT deficiency.

Clinical Indications
Hyperglobulinaemia/Hypoglobulinaemia Screening for haematological malignancy Monitoring of established plasma cell dyscrasia

Reference Range

Sample Required
SST (gold top) or serum (red top)

Sample Volume
1 mL

Turnaround Time
1 week (please allow up to 2 weeks if further analysis is required)

Notes
Where appropriate, further analysis will be carried out, eg. immunofixation/immunotyping and quantitation of paraproteins.