GENERAL NOTES
APPLICATION: For the dectection and quantitation of paraprotein bands in eg, multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia and some lymphoproliferative disorders. Only 10% of patients with these disorders make light chains, which are small and rapidly filtered by the kidney, consequently becoming undetectable in blood. In these cases a urine EPP may also be required.
Less specific serum patterns are seen in association with liver disease, infection, other inflammatory states, nephrotic syndrome or specific protein deficiencies.
INTERPRETATION: Electrophoresis results may be diagnostic, but additional investigation may be required to characterise the abnormalities. See immunofixation.