[terryl1]

Albumin: Serum Protein Electrophoresis vs. CBC Values

by terryl1 on Mon Oct 07, 2013 1:52 pm

I know that albumin is an important prognostic factor to consider in myeloma and one's overall health. In my case, my normal value in the CBC is usually about 4.2 mg/l. However, the serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) value is always much greater; usually, about 5.2 mg/l. These figures are from the same exact blood draw. I couldn't find a reason for this anywhere online and was just curious if anyone knew the answer.

Thanks. Terry

[JBarnes]

Re: Albumin: Serum Protein Electrophoresis vs. CBC Values

by JBarnes on Mon Oct 07, 2013 2:02 pm

Curious about this also. My results are similar to yours. When I asked the doc about it, he went into a long boring discussion. If somebody could put this in good redneck terms it would be appreciated.

Jerry.

[DanaH]

Re: Albumin: Serum Protein Electrophoresis vs. CBC Values

by DanaH on Mon Oct 07, 2013 5:48 pm

Also curious, as I just looked through my lab results and my serum albumin values in my SPEP are greater than the values reported in the Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP) from the same blood draw. Thanks for asking TerryL1.

Best regards,
Dana

[Whatsamatteru]

Re: Albumin: Serum Protein Electrophoresis vs. CBC Values

by Whatsamatteru on Mon Oct 07, 2013 9:50 pm

The reason for the difference is the following:

The SPE value for albumin is INDIRECT, because it is based only on the direct total protein value from the Metabolic Panel. This is why the sum of all the values from the SPEP equals the total protein value. Check it out. It is not a coincidence.

So if your DIRECT protein value is higher on a particular blood draw day so will be the INDIRECT albumin value (and all other SPE values for that matter). The SPEP albumin value is therefore deemed less accurate and less reliable for this reason.

In contrast, the albumin value in the Metabolic Panel has its own DIRECT measurement method and so is deemed more accurate and reliable.

[terryl1]

Re: Albumin: Serum Protein Electrophoresis vs. CBC Values

by terryl1 on Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:30 am

Thanks for the reply and info. I kind of thought the SPEP value would be more accurate. Thanks again.