What is Spep with Immunofixation

This test is called serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) test. Your doctor can use it to confirm certain diagnoses. The IFX test can also be used to study changes in the structure of normal proteins in the blood. One example is glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

What diseases does Spep test for?

  • cancer.
  • thyroid problems.
  • diabetes.
  • anemia.
  • liver diseases.
  • malnutrition.
  • certain autoimmune diseases.
  • multiple sclerosis.

Does Spep test for multiple myeloma?

Blood Tests SPEP looks specifically for an abnormally high amount of an immunoglobulin known as the M protein. It’s released by cancerous plasma cells called myeloma cells, and finding it in your blood can be the first step to diagnosing multiple myeloma.

What is immunofixation test for?

The immunofixation blood test is used to identify proteins called immunoglobulins in blood. Too much of the same immunoglobulin is usually due to different types of blood cancer. Immunoglobulins are antibodies that help your body fight infection.

What is an immunofixation pattern?

Immunofixation can either reveal a normal pattern or identify a monoclonal protein or a polyclonal immunoglobulin pattern. A normal result includes a darker immunoglobulin G (IgG) lane, a lighter immunoglobulin A (IgA), an absent immunoglobulin M (IgM), and a denser kappa compared to lambda lane, with ratio of 2:1.

How much does Spep cost?

Serum Protein Electrophoresis Test Labs & Book AppointmentPrice Starting FromSerum Protein Electrophoresis Test Price in Mumbai₹722Serum Protein Electrophoresis Test Price in Hyderabad₹750Serum Protein Electrophoresis Test Price in Kolkata₹765

What is the difference between Spep and Immunofixation?

In addition, immunofixation technique can also determine the particular isotype of the monoclonal protein. However, immunofixation technique cannot estimate the quantity of the M protein. In contrast, SPEP is capable of estimating the concentration of an M protein.

What causes Immunofixation electrophoresis?

Immunofixation electrophoresis or immunosubtraction electrophoresis may be ordered when an abnormal band suggestive of a monoclonal immunoglobulin is detected on either a serum or a urine electrophoresis.

What is the difference between electrophoresis and Immunofixation?

Urine protein electrophoresis (UPEP) is used to identify the presence of the Bence Jones protein in urine. Immunofixation is used to identify the subtype of protein (ie, IgA lambda).

What is the most definitive test to confirm a diagnosis of multiple myeloma?

Bone x-rays X-rays can detect bone destruction caused by the myeloma cells. Often doctors will do a series of x-rays that includes most of the bones. This is called a bone survey or skeletal survey.

Article first time published on

What is usually the first symptom of multiple myeloma?

Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma can vary and, early in the disease, there may be none. When signs and symptoms do occur, they can include: Bone pain, especially in your spine or chest. Nausea.

What does bone pain feel like in multiple myeloma?

Bone pain. Multiple myeloma can cause pain in affected bones – usually the back, ribs or hips. The pain is frequently a persistent dull ache, which may be made worse by movement.

When should you suspect multiple myeloma?

19 Multiple myeloma should be considered as a diagnosis in patients over 50 years of age with back pain persisting more than one month if one or more red flags (Table 1) are identified.

How is Immunofixation performed?

The technique consists of depositing a serum (or urine which has been previously concentrated) sample on a gel. … Immunofixation requires electrophoresis to migrate serum proteins in replicate. Then, specific anti-immunoglobulin antisera are used to treat each replicate.

Does Immunofixation detect light chains?

Confirmation of heavy-chain and light-chain types of a monoclonal band today is done almost exclusively by immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE). IFE has greater sensitivity for detecting small monoclonal bands in the presence of polyclonal immunoglobulins. …

What does Hypergammaglobulinemia mean?

Hypergammaglobulinemia is an uncommon condition that is usually the result of an infection, autoimmune disorder, or malignancy such as multiple myeloma. It’s characterized by elevated levels of immunoglobulins in your blood.

When should I buy immunofixation?

An Immunofixation test is often ordered when someone has symptoms of diseases such as Multiple Myeloma, Waldenstrom’s Macroglobullinema, Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Multiple Sclerosis.

Can you have multiple myeloma without M protein?

Some people with multiple myeloma don’t make enough M proteins or light chains for tests to show they have it. This is called non-secretory myeloma. A bone marrow biopsy can help diagnose this type of myeloma.

Is immunofixation the same as immunoelectrophoresis?

Immunofixation identified the proteins unambiguously in all six sera examined, whereas immunoelectrophoresis gave ambiguous results in one of the sera with high protein concentration and in three of the sera with low protein concentration. The superiority of immunofixation resulted from its greater resolution.

How long does it take to do a Spep test?

Your lab report should contain the range your lab uses. Also, your doctor will evaluate your results based on your health and other factors. This means that a value that falls outside the normal values listed here may still be normal for you or your lab. Results are usually ready in 2 to 3 days.

What tube is Spep?

SERUM PROTEIN ELECTROPHORESIS REFLEX PROFILEORDERING INFORMATION:Geisinger Epic Procedure Code: LAB3052 Geisinger Epic ID: 32246Preferred collection container:3.5 mL gold-top (serum separator) tubeAlternate Collection Container:6 mL red-top (plain, non-serum separator) tubeSpecimen required:1 mL serum; minimum 0.5 mL

What is protein electro random urine?

Urine protein electrophoresis (UPEP) is a test your doctor can use to determine if there’s protein in your urine. It can also help your doctor find out how much of each type of protein is present.

When should I order Spep?

Other more-specific tests, including serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), can help determine the exact source, such as liver or bone marrow, as well as the specific protein type involved in your high blood protein levels. Your doctor may order an SPEP if he or she suspects you have a bone marrow disease.

Should I be worried about high protein in blood?

High blood protein is not a specific disease or condition in itself, but it might indicate you have a disease. High blood protein rarely causes signs or symptoms on its own. But sometimes it is uncovered while you’re having blood tests done as part of an evaluation for some other problem or symptom.

What does abnormal protein in the blood mean?

If your total protein level is low, you may have a liver or kidney problem, or it may be that protein isn’t being digested or absorbed properly. A high total protein level could indicate dehydration or a certain type of cancer, such as multiple myeloma, that causes protein to accumulate abnormally.

Who is most likely to get multiple myeloma?

Myeloma occurs most commonly in people over 60. The average age at diagnosis is 70. Only 2% of cases occur in people under 40.

What conditions are mistaken for myeloma?

  • excessive thirst.
  • frequent infections.
  • fatigue.
  • numbness in the hands or feet.
  • blurry vision.

Is multiple myeloma curable 2021?

While there is no cure for multiple myeloma, the cancer can be managed successfully in many patients for years.

Is myeloma a death sentence?

Today, a multiple myeloma diagnosis is no longer a death sentence because our community’s efforts have helped bring 11 new drugs through FDA-approval.

Is multiple myeloma a painful death?

Experiencing a Peaceful Passing Accounts of those who have accompanied a loved one as they died from complications of multiple myeloma generally report a relatively calm death in which pain has been effectively managed.

Is myeloma a leukemia?

Unlike leukemia, a cancer of the immature blood cells you may have heard about, myeloma cells do not usually circulate in the blood stream but typically stay in the bone marrow. The problems myeloma cells cause and treatments used to treat myeloma are also different from leukemia.

You Might Also Like