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Immunoelectrophoresis - serum - Results

Alternative Names

IEP - serum; Immunoglobulin electrophoresis - serum; Gamma globulin electrophoresis; Serum immunoglobulin electrophoresis

Normal Values:

No monoclonal antibodies are detected.

What abnormal results mean:

Abnormal results may be due to certain types of cancer such as multiple myeloma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Cells related to these types of cancer produce a type of protein called a monoclonal immunoglobulin, which can be detected with this test. However, some people have monoclonal immunoglobulins, but do not have cancer. This is called “monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance," or MGUS.

  • Reviewed last on: 6/2/2010
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; 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 RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006.

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