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Test ID EPU Electrophoresis, Protein, 24 Hour, Urine

Useful For

Monitoring patients with monoclonal gammopathies

 

Urine protein electrophoresis alone is not considered an adequate screening for monoclonal gammopathies

Profile Information

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
PTU Protein, Total, U Yes Yes
PEU Protein Electrophoresis, U No Yes

Reflex Tests

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
IFXU Immunofixation, U No No

Testing Algorithm

If a discrete electrophoresis band is identified, the laboratory will evaluate the urine protein electrophoresis and, if necessary, perform immunofixation at an additional charge.

Method Name

PTU: Dye Binding (Pyrogallol Red)

PEU: Agarose Gel Electrophoresis

IFXU: Immunofixation

Reporting Name

Electrophoresis, Protein, U

Specimen Type

Urine

Collection Container/Tube: Clean, plastic urine collection container

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic, 60-mL urine bottle

Specimen Volume: 50 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect a 24-hour urine specimen.

2. No preservative.

Additional Information:

1. 24-Hour volume is required.

2. If a serum specimen on the same patient will also be submitted, order PEL / Electrophoresis, Protein, Serum under a separate order.

3. See Urine Preservatives in Special Instructions for multiple collections.

 

Urine Preservative Collection Options

Note: The addition of preservative or application of temperature controls must occur within 4 hours of completion of the collection.

Ambient

Yes

Refrigerated

Preferred

Frozen

Yes

6N HCl

No

50% Acetic Acid

No

Na2CO3

No

Toluene

Yes

6N HNO3

No

Boric Acid

No

Thymol

Yes

Specimen Minimum Volume

25 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Urine Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  5 days
  Ambient  72 hours

Clinical Information

Urine proteins can be grouped into 5 fractions by protein electrophoresis:

-Albumin

-Alpha-1

-Alpha-2

-Beta-globulin

-Gamma globulin

 

The urine total protein concentration, the electrophoretic pattern, and the presence of a monoclonal immunoglobulin light chain may be characteristic of monoclonal gammopathies such as multiple myeloma, primary systemic amyloidosis, and light chain deposition disease.

Reference Values

PROTEIN, TOTAL

<167 mg/24 hours

Reference values have not been established for patients <18 years of age.

Reference values have not been established for patients >83 years of age.

 

ELECTROPHORESIS, PROTEIN

If protein concentration is abnormal, the following fractions, if present, will be reported as a percent of the protein, total.

Albumin

Alpha-1-globulin

Alpha-2-globulin

Beta-globulin

Gamma-globulin

Reference value applies to 24-hour collection. Specimens collected for periods other than 24 hours will be reported in concentration units.

Cautions

Patients suspected of having a monoclonal gammopathy may have a normal urine protein electrophoretic pattern, and these patients should have immunofixation (MPSU / Monoclonal Protein Study, 24 Hour, Urine) performed. Monoclonal gammopathies are rarely seen in patients <30 years of age.

 

Hemolysis may cause a discrete band on protein electrophoresis, which will be negative on immunofixation.

 

Penicillin may split the albumin band.

 

Radiographic agents may produce an uninterpretable pattern.

Day(s) Performed

Protein, total: Monday through Sunday; Continuously

Electrophoresis, protein: Monday through Saturday; 12 p.m.

Report Available

2 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test has been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

84156-Protein, total

84166-Electrophoresis, protein

86335-Immunofixation (if appropriate)

NY State Approved

Yes