Q:
What is SPEP?
A:
SPEP, or serum protein electrophoresis, is a blood test that measures specific proteins (Albumin, Alpha-1, Alpha-2, Beta, and Gamma) in the blood to help identify some disorders.
These disorders include:
- Anemia
- Certain autoimmune diseases
- Diabetes
- Liver diseases
- Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)
- Myeloma or multiple myeloma
- Poor nutrition or inability to absorb nutrients
- Primary amyloidosis
- Thyroid problems
- Waldenström macroglobulinemia
The reference values are:
- Albumin: 60% ~ 75%, or 3.6 ~ 5.2 g/dL
- Alpha-1 (α-1): 1.7% ~ 5%, or 0.1 ~ 0.4 g/dL
- Alpha-2 (α-2): 6.7% ~ 12.5%, or 0.4 ~ 1.0 g/dL
- Beta (β): 8.3 % ~ 16.3 %, or 0.5 ~ 1.2 g/dL
- Gamma (γ): 10.7% ~ 20%, or 0.6 ~ 1.6 g/dL
If you want to know more about this test, please consult your doctor.
Keywords: SPEP; serum protein electrophoresis.
