SPEP is used to help diagnose and monitor a variety of different diseases or disorders that have abnormal proteins or protein levels.
Some of the conditions that could be causing these symptoms are:
cancer.thyroid problems.diabetes.anemia.liver diseases.malnutrition.certain autoimmune diseases.multiple sclerosis.
What does a high SPEP mean?
Serum protein electrophoresis is generally considered in any patient with an elevated total protein, especially those with elevated globulin level relative to albumin, or any signs and symptoms suggestive of an underlying plasma cell disorder such as multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, or primary
What is a normal SPEP level?
Adults/elderly. Reference ranges are as follows : Total protein – 6.4-8.3 g/dL or 64-83 g/L (SI units) Albumin – 3.5-5 g/dL or 35-50 g/L (SI units)
What is SPEP multiple myeloma?
Serum and Urine Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP and UPEP) Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) is a test that measures the amount of heavy chain monoclonal protein made by myeloma cells. Learn more at Types of Myeloma. SPEP separates all the proteins in the blood according to their electrical charge.
How long do SPEP results take?
Results are usually ready in 2 to 3 days.
Is myeloma curable?
Treatment for multiple myeloma can often help control symptoms and improve quality of life. But myeloma usually can’t be cured, which means additional treatment is needed when the cancer comes back.
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 disease is caused by too much protein?
Overview. Amyloidosis is a condition in which too much of a particular protein (amyloid) collects in the organs, so that they are not able to work normally. Amyloidosis can affect the heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system, stomach or intestines.
What is the most definitive test to confirm a diagnosis of multiple myeloma?
The complete blood count (CBC) is a test that measures the levels of red cells, white cells, and platelets in the blood. If there are too many myeloma cells in the bone marrow, some of these blood cell levels can be low. The most common finding is a low red blood cell count (anemia).
What does SPEP stand for?
The serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) test measures specific proteins in the blood to help identify some diseases. Proteins are substances made up of smaller building blocks called amino acids.
Can stress cause high globulin?
After the first exposure to stress a relative alpha1-globulin increase was observed. After 10 stress exposures the hitherto neutral stimulus alone produced a conditioned increase in the alpha1-globulin fraction.
What is considered a high M protein level?
People who have high-risk MGUS have any of the following features: The M-protein level is more than 15 g/L. The type of M-protein is IgA or IgM.
What is life expectancy with multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is an uncommon cancer of the blood. The median length of survival after diagnosis with multiple myeloma is 62 months for Stage I, 44 months for Stage II, and 29 months for Stage III. Life expectancy depends on many factors, including the person’s age, health, kidney function, and more.
Which organ is affected in multiple myeloma?
In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells. Rather than produce helpful antibodies, the cancer cells produce abnormal proteins that can cause complications.
What is a high M spike number?
Patients with a higher M spike (greater than 1.5 g/dL) or abnormal SFLC ratio are at a higher risk of disease progression. In addition, patients with IgM or IgA MGUS have a higher rate of developing myeloma than patients with IgG MGUS.
How is Spep test done?
Test Overview
Serum protein electrophoresis uses an electrical field to separate the proteins in the blood serum into groups of similar size, shape, and charge. Blood serum contains two major protein groups: albumin and globulin. Both albumin and globulin carry substances through the bloodstream.
What are free light chains in the blood?
Light chains are proteins made by plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. Plasma cells also make immunoglobulins (antibodies). Immunoglobulins help protect the body against illness and infections. Immunoglobulins are formed when light chains link up with heavy chains, another type of protein.
