Protein electrophoresis - serum

Alternative names:

lipoprotein electrophoresis; serum lipid protein

Normal values:

• total protein: 6.4 to 8.3 g/dl
• albumin: 3.5 to 5.0 g/dl
• alpha-1 globulin: 0.1 to 0.3 g/dl
• alpha-2 globulin: 0.6 to 1.0 g/dl
• beta globulin: 0.7 to 1.2 g/dl
• gamma globulin: 0.7 to 1.6 g/dl

Note: g/dl = grams per deciliter

What abnormal results mean:

Decreased total protein may indicate:

• malnutrition
• nephrotic syndrome
• gastrointestinal protein-losing enteropathy

Increased alpha-1 globulin proteins may indicate:

• chronic inflammatory disease (for example, rheumatoid arthritis, SLE)
• malignancy
• acute inflammatory disease

Decreased alpha-1 globulin proteins may indicate:

• alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Increased alpha-2 globulin proteins may indicate:

• acute inflammation
• nephrotic syndrome
• chronic inflammation

Decreased alpha-2 globulin proteins may indicate:

• hemolysis

Increased beta globulin proteins may indicate:

• hyperlipoproteinemia (for example, familial hypercholesterolemia)
• estrogen therapy
• multiple myeloma

Decreased beta globulin proteins may indicate:

• congenital coagulation disorder
• consumptive coagulopathy
• disseminated intravascular coagulation

Increased gamma globulin proteins may indicate:

• multiple myeloma
• chronic inflammatory disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, SLE)
• hyperimmunization
• acute infection
• Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia
• chronic liver disease