Alert

Serum Protein Electrophoresis

Tube Type = Gold Top or Yellow Bullet or Red Bullet

Tube Type

Includes: Serum Total Protein, & Serum Protein Electrophoretic Pattern [Albumin (SPE), A-1-Globulin (SPE), A-2-Globulin (SPE), B-1-Globulin (SPE), B-2-Globulin (SPE), Gammaglobulin (SPE)], M Spike, M Spike2, M Spike3

Test ID LAB119
EPIC ORDER
PROTEIN ELECTROPHORESIS, SERUM
CPT Code(s) 84165, 84155
Group/Individual Test Group
Laboratory Core & Special Chemistry Laboratories
Tube Station 30
Specimen Routine: 3 mL whole blood/Navy Blue plain tube/Gold SST or red plain tube also acceptable
Micro: 1.5 mL blood/Gold SST microtainer/red plain microtainer also acceptable
Stability


2-8°C: 10 days
Frozen: -18 to 30°C, 1 month
Ambient: Not acceptable
Off Site Collections:

Centrifuge sample; aliquot serum (min vol 500µl) & refrigerate within 4 hours of collection.
Availability Routine: Monday-Friday, no weekends/holidays; Not available STAT
Turnaround Time 3 Days
Reference Range Normal:
Total Protein 5.7-8.2
ALBUMIN (SPE) 3.5-5.0
ALPHA-1 GLOBULIN (SPE) 0.2-0.5
ALPHA-2 GLOBULIN (SPE) 0.5-1.1
BETA-1 GLOBULIN (SPE) 0.3-0.6
BETA-2 GLOBULIN (SPE) 0.2-0.6
GAMMAGLOBULIN (SPE) 0.5-1.5
M SPIKE g/dL Not Present
M SPIKE2 g/dL Not Present
M SPIKE3 g/dL Not Present
Interpretation provided on report; call (984)974-2361 for questions regarding interpretation.
Comments
  • Method: Capillary electrophoresis or gel electrophoresis
  • Multiple test requests with the same sample type will require additional volumes for testing.
  • Pediatric microtainer devices available from Phlebotomy Services

Reviewed by J. Carr on November 19, 2025

UNC Hospitals
McLendon Clinical Laboratories
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514