Protein Electrophoresis
Private Protein Electrophoresis testing in London for £138, measuring one serum protein pattern marker with results expected in around 5 days.
Turnaround time
5 business days
Biomarkers count
1
Book your test
Choose Service Type
Professional phlebotomist comes to you
+ £{{ home_visit_fee }}
Visit our clinic for your test
{{ clinic_visit_fee > 0 ? '+ £' + clinic_visit_fee : 'Free' }}
Home Visit Details
Home visits require at least 24 hours notice.
Select a clinic: Sorting by distance…
{{ clinicAddress(clinic) }}
{{ clinicAddress(selectedClinic) }}
Select a date
Select an hour
Available time slots: {{ timeSlots.length}}
Overview of the Protein Electrophoresis Test
Protein Electrophoresis separates serum proteins into distinct fractions according to their electrical characteristics, allowing the laboratory to assess the overall protein pattern and identify abnormal bands.
The test assesses 1 specialist biochemical marker: Protein Electrophoresis.
Normal serum contains several groups of proteins.
Albumin usually forms the largest fraction.
Globulin proteins are separated into alpha, beta and gamma regions.
The gamma region contains many Immunoglobulins produced by plasma cells and other B lymphocytes.
Protein Electrophoresis is particularly useful for identifying monoclonal proteins, sometimes called paraproteins or M-proteins.
A monoclonal protein represents production of one abnormal Immunoglobulin or Immunoglobulin fragment by a clone of plasma cells or B cells.
Such patterns can occur with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, multiple myeloma and selected lymphoproliferative disorders.
However, a monoclonal band does not automatically mean somebody has cancer.
MGUS is relatively common with increasing age and often remains stable without progressing.
Electrophoresis can also show polyclonal increases, where many different Immunoglobulins are elevated.
This pattern can occur with chronic inflammation, infection, liver disease and autoimmune conditions.
Protein Electrophoresis is often requested after an unexplained increase in Total Protein or Globulin.
Where an abnormal band is found, Immunofixation, Immunoglobulin measurement and Serum Free Light Chains may be required to characterise it further.
A normal electrophoresis pattern does not exclude every plasma-cell disorder, particularly disorders producing only Free Light Chains.
What Does the Protein Electrophoresis Test Check?
The test examines the distribution and pattern of major serum protein fractions. This test measures 1 specialist biomarker.
Protein Electrophoresis
Separates serum proteins into Albumin and Globulin fractions to identify abnormal monoclonal or polyclonal protein patterns.
Who May Benefit From the Protein Electrophoresis Test?
Protein Electrophoresis can be useful where abnormal blood proteins, unexplained symptoms or a plasma-cell disorder is being investigated.
People with unexplained high Total Protein or Globulin - Electrophoresis can determine which protein fraction is increased.
People with unexplained anaemia and other concerning laboratory abnormalities - Plasma-cell disorders can affect blood counts and proteins.
People with persistent unexplained bone pain - Protein studies may be included when myeloma is clinically suspected.
People with reduced kidney function of uncertain cause - Monoclonal proteins can occasionally affect the kidneys.
People with raised Calcium and compatible clinical findings - This can form part of a wider plasma-cell disorder investigation.
People with unexplained recurrent infections - Abnormal Immunoglobulin production can affect immune function.
People with a previously identified monoclonal protein - Electrophoresis can be repeated during specialist monitoring.
People referred for investigation of MGUS or myeloma - Electrophoresis forms part of standard protein assessment.
How to Prepare
Recent IVIG can produce temporary abnormal-appearing bands and should be documented.
Protein Electrophoresis is most informative when interpreted with Total Protein, Immunoglobulins and relevant clinical findings.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Protein Electrophoresis Test
Abnormal serum protein patterns may be discovered incidentally or during investigation of non-specific symptoms.
Unexplained high Total Protein - A monoclonal or polyclonal Globulin increase may be responsible.
Persistent bone pain - Plasma-cell disorders are one of several possible causes.
Unexplained anaemia - Bone-marrow or chronic inflammatory conditions can affect both proteins and blood counts.
Reduced kidney function without a clear explanation - Monoclonal proteins can occasionally damage the kidneys.
Recurrent infections - Abnormal Immunoglobulin patterns can affect immune defence.
Unexplained weight loss or persistent fatigue with abnormal proteins - Further investigation may be appropriate.
A previous paraprotein or monoclonal band - Repeat electrophoresis can monitor the protein pattern.
Protein Electrophoresis is not a standalone cancer test.
Severe bone pain, rapidly worsening kidney function, marked anaemia or significant Hypercalcaemia requires appropriate clinical assessment.
How to Book Your Protein Electrophoresis Test
Protein Electrophoresis can be booked privately for detailed assessment of serum protein patterns.
Choose the Protein Electrophoresis
Select the individual Protein Electrophoresis blood test online.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw or professional home or hotel phlebotomy where suitable.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required venous blood sample.
Laboratory analysis
Your serum undergoes Protein Electrophoresis and specialist pattern assessment.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised result is delivered securely and additional Immunofixation or Free Light Chain testing can be considered where required.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The current specialist laboratory turnaround for Protein Electrophoresis is approximately 5 days after laboratory receipt.
Electrophoresis requires separation and specialist interpretation of the serum protein pattern.
Abnormal bands can occasionally require additional confirmatory analysis before the final report is completed.
Understanding Your Results
A normal electrophoresis pattern shows the expected distribution of Albumin and Globulin fractions without a significant abnormal monoclonal band.
A monoclonal band or paraprotein indicates that one clone of cells is producing a single Immunoglobulin or Immunoglobulin component.
This does not automatically mean multiple myeloma.
MGUS is one important alternative and requires interpretation according to the amount and type of monoclonal protein and the person's wider clinical findings.
A polyclonal increase means several Immunoglobulin populations are increased.
This can occur with chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease, infection and liver disease.
A low gamma region can indicate reduced Immunoglobulin concentrations.
Further testing may include Immunofixation, Immunoglobulins, Serum Free Light Chains, Full Blood Count, Calcium and kidney function.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
London Blood Tests provides private Protein Electrophoresis for detailed assessment of serum protein patterns.
Separates serum protein fractions - The test provides more detail than Total Protein alone.
Can identify monoclonal protein bands - These can occur in MGUS and plasma-cell disorders.
Can identify polyclonal patterns - Chronic inflammatory and immune conditions can produce broader Globulin increases.
Useful after a raised Globulin result - Electrophoresis can show which fraction is responsible.
Can guide additional protein testing - Immunofixation and Free Light Chains may be added where needed.
Specialist laboratory interpretation - The protein pattern is reviewed rather than reported as one simple concentration.
Professional blood collection - Clinic and suitable home or hotel collection are available.
Clear pricing - Protein Electrophoresis costs £138.
Private Protein Electrophoresis Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Protein Electrophoresis testing for people requiring detailed analysis of serum protein distribution.
The test costs £138 and assesses 1 specialist protein pattern.
Results are expected approximately 5 days after laboratory receipt.
An abnormal monoclonal band requires further interpretation and does not by itself establish a diagnosis of multiple myeloma.