Protein Electrophoresis, Serum (SPEP)

Includes Total Protein, Protein Electrophoresis

Preferred Specimen(s) 5 mL serum

Transport Container Plastic screw-cap vial

Transport Temperature Refrigerated

Methodology Capillary Electrophoresis

Clinical Significance Protein Electrophoresis evaluates the major protein fractions (i.e., albumin, alpha 1, alpha 2, beta and gamma proteins) to determine if there are deficiencies or excesses, as seen with macroglobulinemia, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and multiple myeloma.