Protein Electrophoresis, Serum

Your doctor will help interpret the report basis your symptoms.

• Total protein: 6.4 to 8.2 g/dL
• Albumin: 3.2 to 4.6 g/dL
• Alpha-1 globulin: 0.15 to 0.33 g/dL
• Alpha-2 globulin: 0.72 to 1.06 g/dL
• Beta globulin: 0.74 to 1.06 g/dL
• Gamma globulin: 0.91 to 1.71 g/dL

The test is ordered when the doctor believes that you have condition that affects the protein balance in the body. Symptoms include unexplained weight loss, susceptibility to fractures, frequent fractures, fatigue, weakness etc.

Proteins in the blood stream are affected in cancer, thyroid conditions, malnutrition, liver diseases, anemia, diabetes, certain autoimmune diseases, breakdown of red blood cells etc.

There are two major protein groups and they are called as Albumin and Globulin. More than half of the protein in the blood is albumin and prevents blood from leaking out of blood vessels. Albumin helps transport substances throughout the body.

Amongst globulins, there are four types: alpha 1 globulin (HDL or good cholesterol is a type of alpha 1 globulin), alpha 2 globulin (this protein also called as haptoglobin binds with hemoglobin). The third type is beta globulin which helps in fighting infection and transports substances throughout the body including iron. The fourth type is gamma globulin and are also called as antibodies. They bind themselves to foreign substances like bacteria and helps the body in actively fighting these infections.

Protein electrophoresis is a method that separates proteins basis their size and electrical charge. This helps identify certain diseases.

Other names: Serum Protein Electrophoresis test. 

Proteins are the building blocks of the body and performs multiple functions. Proteins carry a negative or a positive electrical charge and move when placed in an electrical field. This property of proteins is used to separate them in to groups of similar size, shape and charge.