Immunoelectrophoresis - serum

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Blood test

Serum immunoelectrophoresis detects the presence or absence of immunoglobulins in the blood and assess the type (polyclonal or monoclonal) of immunoglobulins.

IEP - serum; Immunoglobulin electrophoresis - serum; Gammaglobulin electrophoresis; Serum immunoglobulin electrophoresis

Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic. An elastic band is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and cause the vein to swell with blood.

A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the band is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children:

The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. A bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any bleeding.

Immunoelectrophoresis is a laboratory technique. It uses a combination of protein electrophoresis and an antigen-antibody interaction. Protein electrophoresis indicates immunoglobulins as a group. Immunoelectrophoresis enhances the ability to identify the specific immunoglobulins through the use of specific antibodies to the proteins of interest.

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, you may feel moderate pain, or only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

This test is performed to assess the clonality (monoclonal or polyclonal) of immunoglobulins.

Review Date: 01/26/2005
Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, MD., Department of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.