Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
Serum electrophoresis is carried out on all immunoglobulin requests to determine if immunoglobulins present are polyclonal or monoclonal. Monoclonal proteins are associated with lymphoid malignancies including myeloma. If a monoclonal protein is identified by electrophoresis its immunotype will be investigated by immunofixation. If large enough it will be measured by densitometry. If identified discussion with a haematologist is advised as per guideline attached.
Specimen container paediatric:
Serum
Specimen container adult:
Serum
Special requirements:
None
Sample stability:
10 days at 2-8oC
3 months at -20oC
Availability:
Serum Protein Electrophoresis assays are run several times a day Monday to Friday 08:30 to 17:00.
Freq analysis:
Daily
Add on test:
All urgent add ons via telephone on 0191 282 4766, and must be confirmed via email to the appropriate email address
Quality assurance:
UK NEQAS for MONOCLONAL PROTEIN IDENTIFICATION
IMMPROVE paraprotein quality assurance
Interpretation:
See guideline above
Reference ranges:
not applicable
Other info:
All requests for Immunoglobulins (Igs) are examined by serum electrophoresis. If a paraprotein band is detected it is quantitated by scanning densitometry and a result given in g/L. Further investigations will define the nature of the paraprotein (see immunofixation). If the serum electrophoresis is normal it will be reported as such.