Examinations
Examinations
General Information:
Serum total protein normally consists of albumin and globulins in specific qualitative and quantitative proportions. Electrophoresis of serum proteins identifies five major fractions:
- Albumin: The main protein in plasma, accounting for approximately two-thirds of total protein.
- Alpha-1 Globulins: Includes alpha-1 antitrypsin.
- Alpha-2 Globulins: Includes alpha-2 macroglobulin and haptoglobin.
- Beta Globulins: Includes transferrin and complement component C3.
- Gamma Globulins: Includes immunoglobulins (antibodies).
Changes in the normal ratio of these protein fractions can result from various acute and chronic inflammatory processes, autoimmune diseases, and malignancies.
- The test should be performed 2 hours after the last meal.
- Avoid smoking for 3 hours before the test.
- Limit physical and emotional stress for 1 hour prior to the test.
- Assessing the qualitative and quantitative ratios of major protein fractions in patients with acute and chronic infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and certain liver (e.g., chronic viral hepatitis) and kidney (e.g., nephrotic syndrome) conditions.
- Diagnosis and monitoring of monoclonal gammopathies (e.g., multiple myeloma of unknown origin and monoclonal gammopathy).
- Diagnosis of immunodeficiency syndromes (e.g., Bruton’s agammaglobulinemia).
- Symptoms of multiple myeloma: pathological fractures or bone pain, weakness, persistent fever, recurrent infections.
- Other laboratory abnormalities suggesting multiple myeloma, such as hypercalcemia, hypoalbuminemia, leukopenia, and anemia.
- Suspicion of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, Bruton’s disease, and other immunodeficiencies.
- Assess the qualitative and quantitative ratios of major protein fractions in patients with acute and chronic infectious diseases, autoimmune conditions, and certain liver (e.g., chronic viral hepatitis) and kidney (e.g., nephrotic syndrome) diseases.
- For the diagnosis and monitoring of monoclonal gammopathies (e.g., multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance).
- For the diagnosis of immunodeficiency syndromes (e.g., Bruton’s agammaglobulinemia).
- During the evaluation of a patient with acute or chronic infectious diseases, autoimmune conditions, or specific liver (e.g., chronic viral hepatitis) and kidney (e.g., nephrotic syndrome) disorders.
- In the presence of symptoms of multiple myeloma: pathological fractures or bone pain, weakness, persistent fever, and recurrent infections.
- When other laboratory abnormalities suggest multiple myeloma, such as hypercalcemia, hypoalbuminemia, leukopenia, and anemia.
- For suspected alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, Bruton’s disease, and other immunodeficiencies.