Total Serum/Plasma Electrophoresis (with Bromocresol Green or Bromocresol Purple Staining)
This test measures the distribution of different protein types in your blood, including albumin and globulins, often used to diagnose conditions affecting protein balance.
["Helps identify protein disorders or abnormalities in blood protein composition."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 39084-9
- Short code
- Marsh Elder IgE/IgE total %
- Synonyms
- Marsh Elder IgE/IgE total %
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why Is This Test Done?
Your healthcare provider may order this test to check for conditions like multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, chronic liver disease, or other protein-related disorders. It can also help monitor treatment progress or detect subtle changes in protein levels that might not be picked up by other tests.
What to Expect During the Test
A small blood sample is drawn from a vein in your arm. The blood is then processed and analyzed to separate proteins based on their size and charge. Staining techniques (like bromocresol green or purple) highlight different protein bands for evaluation.
Common Conditions Evaluated
This test is particularly useful for identifying abnormal protein patterns, such as those seen in monoclonal gammopathies (e.g., multiple myeloma), hypoalbuminemia, or inflammatory conditions. It may also be used in screening for genetic disorders affecting protein synthesis.
How Results Are Interpreted
Results are typically expressed as percentages or relative amounts of each protein fraction (e.g., albumin, alpha-globulins, beta-globulins, gamma-globulins). Abnormal patterns may indicate specific conditions, but interpretation requires clinical correlation with symptoms and other tests.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance: This test provides critical information about protein composition in your blood, which can reveal underlying disorders affecting protein metabolism. For example, elevated or abnormal bands may signal conditions like plasma cell dyscrasias (e.g., multiple myeloma) or chronic infections. Low albumin levels might indicate malnutrition, liver disease, or kidney problems. Always discuss results with your healthcare provider to understand their relevance to your health.
Short name
Total Protein Electrophoresis
Frequently asked questions
What does a total protein electrophoresis test measure?
Can this test detect cancer?
How long does it take to get results from this test?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
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Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy