An immunofixation Still known as the Protein Electrolyzer, the blood test identifies specific proteins in the blood. Proteins play many important roles, including providing energy to the body, repairing muscles, and supporting the immune system.
There are two important types of proteins in blood: albumin and globulin. In analysis, these proteins are distinguished based on their subgroup volume and electron load. Subgroups:
- Albumin
- Alpha-1-globulin
- Alpha-2-globulin
- Beta-globulin
- Gamma-Globulin
Measuring proteins in each subgroup can help diagnose a variety of diseases.
Other names: serum protein electrophoresis (PLEP), protein electrophoresis, SPE, immunofixation electrophoresis, IFE, serum. immunofixation
What is it used for?
This test is usually used to diagnose or check all kinds of disorders. These include:
- Multiple myeloma, leukemic carcinoma.
- Other cancers such as lymphoma (cancer of the immune system) and anemia (cancer of blood-forming tissues such as bone marrow).
- Kidney disease
- liver disease
- several neurological disorders and autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases force the immune system to mistakenly attack its own cells, tissues, and organs.
- Malnutrition or maybe your body does not receive the required number of caloric preparations from the products you eat.
Why do you need an IFE test?
If you have signs of certain diseases such as multiple myeloma, disorganized sclerosis, malnutrition, or multiple reservoirs, you may need to be tested.
Symptoms of multiple myeloma include
- Bone pain
- Fatigue
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Frequent infections
- Thirst
- Nausea
Symptoms of confused sclerosis include
- Numbness or tingling in the person, arms, and/or legs
- Walking problems
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Problems urinating
Symptoms include malnutrition or polysomnias
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- weight loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bone pain
What happens during the IFE test?
The doctor will take blood from a vein in your arm with a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood is collected into a test tube or vial. You will feel a little busy when the needle goes in or when you walk around. This usually takes less than 5 minutes.
Do I need to prepare for the test?
No special preparation is required for the test. an immunofixation blood test.
Are there any risks associated with IFE testing?
There are no sufficient risks associated with blood tests. The area where the needle is inserted can be slightly sore or bruised, but most signs disappear quickly.
What do the results mean?
Results indicate whether protein values are in the normal spectrum, very high or very low.
High protein values can be caused by almost any criteria. Common causes of high values are
- dehydration
- liver disease
- inflammatory disease, a situation in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Inflammatory diseases include rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. Inflammatory diseases are reminiscent of autoimmune diseases, but affect all sorts of parts of the immune system.
- Kidney disease
- High cholesterol levels.
- Anemia due to iron deficiency.
- Multiple myeloma
- Lymphoma
- Certain infections.
Low protein levels can be caused by almost any criteria. Common causes of low values.
- Kidney disease
- liver disease
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic disorder that can lead to non-serious illness at a young age
- malnutrition
- Certain autoimmune diseases
Diagnosis depends on which specific protein values were not common and whether values are very high or very low. It may also depend on the original pattern of protein production.
If you have questions about your results, talk to your own care provider.
Is there actually anything else I need to know about the IFE test?
Immunofixation testing can still be done with urine; Urinet testing is often done if the IFE test results are not normal.
Supplied by MedlinePlus from the State Medical Library.
