Urine Electrophoresis / Immunofixation

Overview
Ordering info

Description:

Electrophoretic separation of proteins in urine allows for the classification of proteinuria based on glomerular and tubular function. It also enables the identification of abnormal proteins such as monoclonal paraproteins / Bence Jones proteins as seen in multiple myeloma. Immunofixation will be performed automatically by the laboratory to confirm and characterise monoclonal paraproteins.

This test is not currently included in the laboratory's UKAS scope of accreditation to ISO15189:2012

Clinical details:

Increased protein excretion will mainly occur when there is a change in the filtered load due to an increase in glomerular permeability (glomerular proteinuria) and an increase in the plasma concentration of protein (overload proteinuria). Proteinuria will also result from a decrease in the tubular absorption of normally absorbed proteins (tubular proteinuria) and an increase in protein secretion or non-specific addition of protein to the fluid in the urinary tract (post-renal proteinuria).

Reference range:

Interpretative comments used. No numerical value reported.

Department:

Biochemical Sciences Department

Location:

St Thomas' Hospital

Sample type and Volume required:

25 mL fresh, early morning urine.

Turnaround time:

1 week for electrophoresis. 10 days for immunofixation.

Special sample instructions:

Samples must be collected into a plain universal container.