Skip to content

Laboratory Medicine

Test Directory / Electrophoresis

Electrophoresis

Blown clotted serum, gel barrier

TestElectrophoresis
Common AbbreviationsELE / EPS / Capillarys
ProfileNA
Tube typeBlown clotted serum, gel barrier
Clinical IndicationSerum electrophoresis should be used alongside Bence Jones protein in the diagnosis of myeloma and other paraprotein disorders. It is also used for monitoring patients already diagnosed with myeloma or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.
Specimen TypeBlood
Sample typeSerum
Minimum Volume0.5mL If requesting more than 10 tests please send an additional brown clotted serum sample.
Special PrecautionsNo special requirements
Stability10 days at 2-8°C
Turnaround TimeInpatient: 3 days Outpatient/ GP: 3 days May be longer if additional tests are required
LaboratoryYork
Reference IntervalInterpretative result provided
LimitationsHaemolysed samples give split alpha-2 peaks and should be avoided. Icteric samples show significant differences in appearance to normal serum and should not be analysed. Plasma samples should not be analysed as they contain fibrinogen which migrates in the beta-2 region, which could be interpreted as a paraprotein.
Notes
Looking down a long bright hospital corridor with treatment rooms on the left and windows on the right. At the bottom of the corridor is one member of staff in a blue nursing uniform

Our Hospitals

Chinese Poland

View all languages >

Help us keep everyone safe this winter

We’re asking everyone to please help protect our patients, visitors and employees during the winter months.

If you’re feeling unwell, please don’t visit our hospitals - even for appointments or to see loved ones, unless it’s in exceptional circumstances such as end-of-life care or maternity.

Colds, flu, Covid and norovirus (sickness and diarrhoea) can spread easily and cause serious illness in vulnerable patients.

Please only come in once you’ve been free of symptoms for at least 48 hours.

When you do visit:

 Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe this winter.