Electrophoresis - laboratory values
April 11, 2013 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring
Hello,
I have received a copy of the laboratory values as part of the billing process.
In the electrophoresis, I have the following values:
Albumin 71.7 rel% (reference 55.3 - 68.9)
Alpha-1-Glob 3.1 rel% (1.6 - 5.8)
Alpha-2-Glob 5.2 rel% (5.9-11.1)
Beta-Glob. 8.9 rel% (7.9-13.9)
Gamma Glob 11.1 rel% (11.4-18.3)
So, Albumin is slightly elevated, Alpha 2 Glob and Gamma Glob are slightly decreased.
Other laboratory values such as total protein, inflammation markers, and kidney values are completely normal.
My doctor just says in general that everything is fine. Should I be concerned about the results of the electrophoresis? Is the slightly reduced Gamma Glob value a sign that I have an immune deficiency?
Good evening,
The reference values do not have to be met 100%, they can also show minimal deviations. Therefore, I agree with your doctor that these values are fine.
A low level of these immunoglobulins (e.g. gamma globulin) is not evidence of an immune deficiency, as the immune system has many points of attack and consists of far more than just these globulins. An increase in gamma globulin would be concerning, as it would be considered a sign of chronic inflammation (or alpha globulins, which can increase significantly in acute inflammation).
Electrophoresis is not suitable as a screening test, but only as a supplement for a specific question such as the nature of a known inflammation (or the search for albumin deficiency).
Sincerely,
Dr. F. Höllering, Specialist in Internal and General Medicine
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