Protein Electrophoresis by Immunofixation Blood Test

An immunofixation (IFE) blood test measures the number and type of proteins in your blood. Proteins have many important functions, including giving your body energy, rebuilding muscles, and helping your immune system. There are different types of proteins, and each one has a different job for your body.

This test checks to see if your body is making or losing too much of certain proteins. Your body might make too much or too little protein if you have certain health conditions. There are two main types of proteins in the blood: albumin and globulin.

Albumin makes up most of the protein in the blood, while the rest are called globulin. The immunofixation blood test uses a process called electrophoresis to separate the proteins into subgroups. The subgroups are based on their size, shape, and electrical charge.

Measuring the number of proteins in each subgroup can help check for different health conditions. The protein subgroups are: Albumin; Alpha-1 globulin; Alpha-2 globulin; Beta globulin; Gamma globulin;

Why this test is done

You may need testing if you have symptoms of health conditions that affect the amount of protein in the body, such as multiple myeloma, multiple sclerosis, malnutrition, or malabsorption. Your health care provider may also order an immunofixation blood test if you have other blood tests that are not normal, such as your albumin level, total protein, high calcium levels, or low white or red blood cell counts.

Symptoms of multiple myeloma may include:

• Weakened bones, which can lead to
• Bone pain, especially in the back or ribs
• Bone lesions
• Easily broken bones (fractures)
• Fatigue.
• Anemia (low level of red blood cells).
• Fever for no known reason or frequent infections.
• Easy bruising or bleeding.
• Trouble breathing.
• High levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia). It can affect many organs in the body. The symptoms it causes may depend on which organs are affected.

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis may include:

• Numbness, tingling, or pain in the face, arms, and/or legs
• Vision problems
• Muscle weakness, stiffness, and spasms
• Trouble walking
• Fatigue
• Dizziness and vertigo
• Bladder control problems

Symptoms of malnutrition or malabsorption may include:

• Weight loss, especially the loss of fat and muscle
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Frequent infections

How to prepare

You don't need any special preparations for an immunofixation blood test.

Sample type

Blood

Other names for this test

serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), protein electrophoresis, SPE, immunofixation electrophoresis, IFE, serum immunofixation