Description
Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) is a blood test that measures the levels of specific proteins in your blood. It's used to help identify diseases like multiple myeloma, kidney disease, and liver disease.
How it works
- An electrical field separates the proteins in your blood into groups based on their size, shape, and charge
- Each group moves at a different rate through the field, creating a pattern
- The pattern helps doctors identify diseases
What it can help identify
- Multiple myeloma
- A blood cancer that can be detected by measuring the level of paraprotein in your blood
- Other serum protein disorders
- Such as monoclonal gammopathy, which can be indicated by a spike-like peak in the gamma-globulin zone
- Other diseases
- Such as kidney disease, liver disease, anemia, diabetes, thyroid problems, malnutrition, and autoimmune diseases
Fasting not required.
