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Protein electrophoresis - serum - Results

Alternative Names

Lipoprotein electrophoresis

Normal Values:

Total protein: 6.4 to 8.3 g/dL
Albumin: 3.5 to 5.0 g/dL
Alpha-1 globulin: 0.1 to 0.3 g/dL
Alpha-2 globulin: 0.6 to 1.0 g/dL
Beta globulin: 0.7 to 1.2 g/dL
Gamma globulin: 0.7 to 1.6 g/dL

Note: g/dL = grams per deciliter

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

What abnormal results mean:

Decreased total protein may indicate:

Malnutrition
Nephrotic syndrome
Gastrointestinal protein-losing enteropathy

Increased alpha-1 globulin proteins may indicate:

Chronic inflammatory disease (for example, rheumatoid arthritis, SLE)
Acute inflammatory disease
Malignancy

Decreased alpha-1 globulin proteins may indicate:

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Increased alpha-2 globulin proteins may indicate:

Acute inflammation
Chronic inflammation

Decreased alpha-2 globulin proteins may indicate:

Hemolysis

Increased beta globulin proteins may indicate:

Hyperlipoproteinemia (for example, familial hypercholesterolemia)
Estrogen therapy

Decreased beta globulin proteins may indicate:

Increased gamma globulin proteins may indicate:

Multiple myeloma
Chronic inflammatory disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, SLE)
Hyperimmunization
Acute infection
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia
Chronic liver disease

Blood test

Reviewed last on: 3/2/2009
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

McPherson R. Specific proteins. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2006:chap 19.

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