In this post I link to and excerpt from emedicine.medscape.com‘s article, Serum Protein Electrophoresis, on when to consider ordering serum protein electrophoresis*:
*Here is the TOC for the article:
This diagram is from the Curbsiders episode #247 SPEP It Up
DECEMBER 21, 2020 By DR NORA TARANTO:
And here is the excerpt from Background:
Indications/Applications
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 amyloidosis. [5] These include any of the following:
Unexplained anemia, back pain, bone pain, fatigue
Unexplained pathologic fracture or lytic lesions
Unexplained peripheral neuropathy
Hypercalcemia secondary to possible malignancy
Hypergammaglobulinemia
Rouleaux formation noted on peripheral blood smear
Renal insufficiency with bland urine sediment
Unexplained proteinuria
Bence Jones proteinuria
Recurrent infections
