Ordering Recommendation

Aid in the diagnosis and management of monoclonal gammopathies, including multiple myeloma. Use to detect and quantify serum monoclonal protein. 

 

Mnemonic

SPEP

Methodology

Quantitative Capillary Electrophoresis/Colorimetry

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-3 days

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York DOH approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Serum Separator Tube (SST).

Specimen Preparation

Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1.5 mL serum to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 1 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Plasma.

Remarks
Stability

After separation from cells: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: 1 month

Reference Interval

Effective August 19, 2019

Test Number
Components
Reference Interval
  Total Protein, Serum Refer to report. Reference intervals may vary based on instrumentation.
  Albumin 3.75-5.01 g/dL
  Alpha 1 Globulin 0.19-0.46 g/dL
  Alpha 2 Globulin 0.48-1.05 g/dL
  Beta Globulin 0.48-1.10 g/dL
  Gamma 0.62-1.51 g/dL

Interpretive Data

Serum protein electrophoresis, when used as a screening test, is useful in the detection of various pathophysiologic states such as inflammation, protein loss, gammopathies, and other dysproteinemias.  However, immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) is a more sensitive technique for the identification of small M-proteins found in patients with amyloidosis, early or treated myeloma or macroglobulinemia, solitary plasmacytoma, or extramedullary plasmacytoma.

Compliance Category

FDA

Note

A copy of the graph will follow final report.
For CSF electrophoresis, refer to Protein Electrophoresis, CSF (ARUP test code 0050590).

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

84155; 84165

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0050020 Albumin 2862-1
0050035 Alpha 1 Globulin 2865-4
0050060 Alpha 2 Globulin 2868-8
0050110 Beta Globulin 2871-2
0050270 Gamma 2874-6
0050545 Total Protein, Serum 2885-2
2005168 SPEP/IFE Interpretation 49275-1
2011827 Monoclonal Protein 33358-3
2012453 EER Protein Electrophoresis, Serum 11526-1
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • Protein ELP
  • Serum Protein Electrophoresis
  • SPEP
Protein Electrophoresis, Serum