|
Serum globulin electrophoresis
Definition
Serum globulin electrophoresis is a laboratory test that looks at proteins called globulins in the blood.
See also:
Alternative Names
Globulin electrophoresis
Why the Test is Performed
This test is performed to look at globulin proteins in the blood. Identifying the types of globulins (globulin electrophoresis) can help diagnose certain disorders.
Proteins are made from amino acids and are important parts of all cells and tissues. There are many different kinds of proteins in the body with many different functions. Examples of proteins are enzymes, some hormones, hemoglobin (oxygen transport), LDL (cholesterol transport), fibrinogen (blood clotting), collagen (structure of bone and cartilage), and immunoglobulins (antibodies).
Blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, and a liquid called plasma. Plasma is made of serum and clotting proteins. Serum proteins include albumin (the main protein) and globulins.
Globulins are roughly divided into alpha, beta, and gamma globulins. These can be separated and measured in the laboratory by techniques called electrophoresis and densitometry. The gamma fraction includes the various types of antibodies (immunoglobulins M, G, and A).
How the Test is Performed
Blood is drawn from a vein, usually on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic. An elastic band is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the band to swell with blood.
A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an airtight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the band is removed to restore blood flow. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed. The puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
For an infant or young child, the area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a small glass tube (pipette), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if bleeding continues.
Electrophoresis is a laboratory technique. The fluid part of blood (serum) is placed on specially treated paper and exposed to an electric current. The proteins move on the paper (migrate) to form bands that show the amount of each protein fraction in relation to the other protein fractions.
How to Prepare for the Test
Fast for 4 hours before the test. The health care provider may advise you to stop taking drugs that can interfere with the test. DO NOT stop taking any medications without first telling your health care provider.
How the Test Will Feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Risks
- Excess bleeding
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Blood pooling under the skin (hematoma)
- Infection
- Many needle sticks to find veins
Considerations
Drugs that can affect the measurement of serum proteins include chlorpromazine, corticosteroids, isoniazid, neomycin, phenacemide, salicylates, sulfonamides, and tolbutamide.
Normal Results
- Serum globulin: 2.0 to 3.5 g/dL
- IgM component: 75 to 300 mg/dL
- IgG component: 650 to 1850 mg/dL
- IgA component: 90 to 350 mg/dL
What Abnormal Results Mean
Increased gamma globulin proteins may indicate:
Email to a Friend
Typical mistypes for Serum globulin electrophoresis
aerum globulin, zerum globulin, xerum globulin, derum globulin, eerum globulin, werum globulin, swrum globulin, ssrum globulin, sdrum globulin, srrum globulin, s4rum globulin, s3rum globulin, seeum globulin, sedum globulin, sefum globulin, setum globulin, se5um globulin, se4um globulin, serym globulin, serhm globulin, serjm globulin, serim globulin, ser8m globulin, ser7m globulin, serun globulin, seruk globulin, seruj globulin, serum flobulin, serum vlobulin, serum blobulin, serum hlobulin, serum ylobulin, serum tlobulin, serum gkobulin, serum gpobulin, serum goobulin, serum glibulin, serum glkbulin, serum gllbulin, serum glpbulin, serum gl0bulin, serum gl9bulin, serum glovulin, serum glonulin, serum glohulin, serum glogulin, serum globylin, serum globhlin, serum globjlin, serum globilin, serum glob8lin, serum glob7lin, serum globukin, serum globupin, serum globuoin, serum globulun, serum globuljn, serum globulkn, serum globulon, serum globul9n, serum globul8n, serum globulib, serum globulim, serum globulij, serum globulih, erum globulin, srum globulin, seum globulin, serm globulin, seru globulin, serumglobulin, serum lobulin, serum gobulin, serum glbulin, serum gloulin, serum globlin, serum globuin, serum globuln, serum globuli, esrum globulin, sreum globulin, seurm globulin, sermu globulin, seru mglobulin, serumg lobulin, serum lgobulin, serum golbulin, serum glboulin, serum gloublin, serum globluin, serum globuiln, serum globulni, sserum globulin, seerum globulin, serrum globulin, seruum globulin, serumm globulin, serum globulin, serum gglobulin, serum gllobulin, serum gloobulin, serum globbulin, serum globuulin, serum globullin, serum globuliin, serum globulinn, etc.
|
|
|
