Protein Electrophoresis - Serum (SPEP) – BC259
🔬 Specialized Protein TestReport: Next day Evening (Except Sunday)
Sample Type: Blood (Serum)
Test Code: BC259
The Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP) test is a fundamental laboratory technique that separates the major proteins in a blood sample into five distinct fractions. Its primary purpose is to detect the presence of a monoclonal protein (M-protein), an abnormal immunoglobulin produced by a single clone of plasma cells.
✔ A cornerstone test for the diagnosis and monitoring of Multiple Myeloma.
✔ Helps identify abnormal proteins, often seen as an "M-spike" on the results graph.
✔ Also used to investigate other conditions with abnormal protein levels, including certain inflammatory and liver diseases.
✔ Fasting is generally preferred for this blood test.
Separating the Proteins: A Look Inside Your Blood
Your blood serum is rich with a complex mixture of proteins that are vital for fluid balance, immune function, and transport of substances. The SPEP test uses an electric current to separate these proteins into five major groups based on their size and charge:
- Albumin: The most abundant protein, responsible for maintaining osmotic pressure.
- Alpha-1 globulins
- Alpha-2 globulins
- Beta globulins
- Gamma globulins: This fraction contains the immunoglobulins (antibodies) like IgG, IgA, and IgM.
In a healthy person, the results show a characteristic pattern with a large albumin peak and smaller, broader peaks for the globulin fractions. The primary goal of SPEP is to look for a deviation from this pattern—specifically, a sharp, narrow, spike-like peak known as an **M-spike** or monoclonal peak.
The Significance of the M-Spike
An M-spike represents a monoclonal protein (M-protein), which is a massive overproduction of one single type of antibody by a clone of cancerous or pre-cancerous plasma cells. This is the hallmark of diseases such as:
- Multiple Myeloma: A cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow.
- Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia: A type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS): A pre-malignant condition that can sometimes progress to myeloma.
SPEP and UPEP: Two Sides of the Same Coin
The SPEP (blood test) is almost always ordered with its counterpart, the Urine Protein Electrophoresis (UPEP). This is because some forms of myeloma produce large M-proteins that are found in the blood, while other forms produce only small protein fragments (Bence-Jones proteins) that are quickly cleared by the kidneys and are only detectable in the urine. Performing both tests is essential to get a complete picture and avoid missing a diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Your doctor likely ordered this test to screen for an abnormal protein in your blood, which is a key marker for Multiple Myeloma and other plasma cell disorders. It is often ordered if you have symptoms like bone pain, fatigue, unexplained anemia, or high protein levels in your blood.
An M-spike, or monoclonal protein, is a large amount of a single type of antibody produced by abnormal plasma cells. On the test results graph, this appears as a tall, sharp spike instead of a broad hump, and it is a major indicator of conditions like Multiple Myeloma.
A Total Protein test measures the overall amount of protein in your blood. The SPEP test goes a step further by separating the different types of protein, allowing the doctor to see the individual fractions and, most importantly, to identify a specific abnormal protein (M-spike).
Yes, fasting for 8-12 hours is generally preferred for an SPEP test to ensure the results are not affected by recent food intake, particularly fatty foods.