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Useful for:
- Detecting (when used in conjunction with immunofixation) monoclonal gammopathies.
- Monitoring monoclonal gammopathies.
Clinical Information:
- Serum proteins may be divided into six fractions using electrophoresis; the albumin, alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, beta-2 and gamma regions.
- The concentration of the regions and pattern of the electrophoreis can be charateristic of some disease processes. These include monoclonal gammopathies, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and some inflammatory conditions.
Please Note:
- A monoclonal band in the gamma region, and occasionally in the alpha and beta regions, is characteristic of Multiple Myeloma or a Monoclonal Gammopathy of Unknown Significance (MGUS).
- Immunofixation is used to identify the heavy chain and/or light chain of the monoclonal protein and is requested by the laboratory.
- Quantitation of the monoclonal band is used to monitor patients. This is requested by the laboratory.
- A monoclonal band (IgG>15g/L, IgA>10g/L and IgM>10g/L) is considered consistent with a possible diagnosis of multiple myeloma.
- A monoclonal band (IgG<15g/L, IgA<10g/L and IgM<10g/L) is considered consistant with a possible diagnosis of MGUS.
- All new patients with an IgG of <5g/L have immunofixation routinely performed. This is requested by the laboratory.
- Occasionally there may be a result of 'Minor Abnoramlity' reported. These samples can be repeated after a year to confirm results.
- It is recommended that an early morning urine sample be sent for analysis on all new Multiple Myeloma patients.
- Although electrophoresis can be performed on other sample types, it is recommended that a serum sample be used. This is because other sample types can cause a fibrinogen band which will delay results.
- All samples for electrophoreis also have IgG, IgA and IgM levels measured.
- Please note that the stated turnaround time is for 'Normal' results. If a sample requires further investigations (immunofixation) the turnaround time will increase.
- To contact the laboratory please phone 01 4162925 or 01 4162034.
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