Table of Contents
What is SPEP blood test used for?
Test Overview The serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) test measures specific proteins in the blood to help identify some diseases. Proteins are substances made up of smaller building blocks called amino acids.
What does SPEP and UPEP test for?
Serum and Urine Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP and UPEP) Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) is a test that measures the amount of heavy chain monoclonal protein made by myeloma cells. Learn more at Types of Myeloma. SPEP separates all the proteins in the blood according to their electrical charge.
Why would a doctor order an immunofixation test?
The immunofixation blood test is used to identify proteins called immunoglobulins in blood. Too much of the same immunoglobulin is usually due to different types of blood cancer. Immunoglobulins are antibodies that help your body fight infection.
How accurate is SPEP?
The sensitivity of SPEP was 71% and the specificity was 83%.
What does a high SPEP mean?
Serum protein electrophoresis is generally considered in any patient with an elevated total protein, especially those with elevated globulin level relative to albumin, or any signs and symptoms suggestive of an underlying plasma cell disorder such as multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, or primary …
Is UPEP better than SPEP?
Basically, SPEP has a sensitivity of ~80% for multiple myeloma, and sensitivity is increase to >95% with addition of Serum immunofixation and UPEP/Urine Immunofixation, as ~20% of multiple myeloma patients secrete ONLY light chains which are better picked up by the UPEP.
What does high SPEP mean?
Is myeloma curable?
Treatment for multiple myeloma can often help control symptoms and improve quality of life. But myeloma usually can’t be cured, which means additional treatment is needed when the cancer comes back.
How is SPEP reported?
What information should labs include when reporting SPEP findings? SPEP (followed by SIFE, if needed) should document the presence, location, isotype, and concentration of the MIg, if present. Comments about other proteins, especially background immunoglobulins, should be included.
Do light chains show up on SPEP?
SPEP is positive in 87.6% of multiple myelomas but only 73.8% of immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis and 55.6% of light chain deposition disease (LCDD) (14).