What is the Protein Electrophoresis test?

Protein Electrophoresis is a blood test that separates serum proteins into distinct fractions based on their electrical charge and size. The main protein fractions assessed include albumin, alpha-1, alpha-2, beta, and gamma globulins.

This separation creates a characteristic pattern that reflects immune activity, inflammation, liver function, and abnormal protein production. Changes in these patterns can indicate a range of conditions, including chronic inflammation, liver disease, immune disorders, and plasma cell dyscrasias.

Protein electrophoresis is commonly used when abnormal total protein levels are detected or when symptoms suggest an underlying immune or haematological disorder.

Why do I need a test for Protein Electrophoresis?

Abnormal protein production or distribution can occur silently and may not be detected by routine blood tests alone. Protein electrophoresis provides a deeper analysis of protein patterns, helping identify conditions that affect immune function or protein synthesis.

It is particularly useful when investigating unexplained symptoms, abnormal blood results, or suspected plasma cell disorders.

You may benefit from this test if you experience:

• Unexplained fatigue or weakness

• Recurrent infections

• Bone pain or fractures

• Unexplained weight loss

• Abnormal total protein or globulin levels

• Suspected inflammatory or autoimmune disease

• Kidney impairment with protein abnormalities

• Monitoring known plasma cell conditions

Benefits of the Protein Electrophoresis test

1. Detects abnormal protein patterns
   Identifies monoclonal or polyclonal protein changes.

2. Supports diagnosis of plasma cell disorders
   Useful in conditions such as monoclonal gammopathies.

3. Assesses immune system activity
   Reflects antibody production and immune response.

4. Helps investigate chronic inflammation
   Abnormal globulin patterns suggest inflammatory states.

5. Supports liver disease assessment
   Albumin and globulin patterns reflect liver function.

6. Complements total protein testing
   Adds qualitative insight beyond total protein levels.

7. Useful for disease monitoring
   Tracks changes in protein patterns over time.

8. Non-invasive diagnostic tool
   Requires only a blood sample.

Step-by-step – how we offer Protein Electrophoresis testing

Clinic-based testing (UK-wide)

• Choose your nearest UK clinic

• Attend your appointment

• Blood sample collected by a qualified clinician or phlebotomist

• Sample is sent to the laboratory for analysis

At-home or hotel testing (+£60)

• A qualified phlebotomist visits your home or hotel

• Blood sample collected in a comfortable, familiar setting

• No clinic visit or travel required

Both services are available UK-wide.

Your Protein Electrophoresis results explained

Normal protein pattern

A normal electrophoresis pattern shows expected proportions of albumin and globulin fractions, indicating balanced protein production and immune activity.

This suggests no evidence of abnormal protein production at the time of testing.

UK reference interpretation:

• Normal: Typical distribution of protein fractions

Polyclonal increase

A broad increase in gamma globulins indicates polyclonal immune activation, commonly seen in chronic infection, inflammation, liver disease, or autoimmune conditions.

This reflects increased antibody production from multiple immune cell lines.

UK reference interpretation:

• Polyclonal pattern: Broad-based gamma elevation

Monoclonal band detected

A narrow monoclonal band (M-protein) suggests abnormal protein production from a single plasma cell clone. This may be seen in monoclonal gammopathy or plasma cell disorders.

Further testing is usually required to characterise the finding.

UK reference interpretation:

• Monoclonal pattern: Discrete band present