Serum Protein Electrophoresis – Indications, Procedures, Results

Last updated: February 8, 2026 Medically reviewed by: RxHarun Orthopedic Specialist Doctor Reading time: 3 min read

Protein electrophoresis – serum

Lipoprotein electrophoresis

This lab test measures the types of protein in the fluid (serum) part of a blood sample. This fluid is called serum.

How the Test is Performed

A blood sample is needed.

In the lab, the technician places the blood sample on special paper and applies an electric current. The proteins move on the paper and form bands that show the amount of each protein.

How to Prepare for the Test

You may be asked not to eat or drink for 12 hours before this test.

Certain medicines may affect the results of this test. Your health care provider will tell you if you need to stop taking any medicines. DO NOT stop any medicine before talking to your provider.

How the Test will Feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.

Why the Test is Performed

Proteins are made from amino acids and are important parts of all cells and tissues. There are many different kinds of proteins in the body, and they have many different functions. Examples of proteins include enzymes, certain hormones, hemoglobin , low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or bad cholesterol), and others.

Serum proteins are classified as albumin or globulins. Albumin is the most highly concentrated protein in the serum. It carries many small molecules. It is also important for keeping fluid from leaking out from the blood vessels into the tissues.

Globulins are divided into alpha-1, alpha-2, beta, and gamma globulins. In general, alpha and gamma globulin protein levels increase when there is inflammation in the body.

Lipoprotein electrophoresis determines the amount of proteins made up of protein and fat, called lipoproteins (such as LDL cholesterol).

Normal Results

Normal value ranges are:

Total protein: 6.4 to 8.3 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or 64 to 83 grams per liter (g/L)
Albumin: 3.5 to 5.0 g/dL or 35 to 50 g/L
Alpha-1 globulin: 0.1 to 0.3 g/dL or 1 to 3 g/L
Alpha-2 globulin: 0.6 to 1.0 g/dL or 6 to 10 g/L
Beta globulin: 0.7 to 1.2 g/dL or 7 to 12 g/L
Gamma globulin: 0.7 to 1.6 g/dL or 7 to 16 g/L

The examples above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Decreased total protein may indicate:

Abnormal loss of protein from the digestive tract or the inability of the digestive tract to absorb proteins ( protein-losing enteropathy )
Malnutrition
Kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome
Scarring of the liver and poor liver function ( cirrhosis )

Increased alpha-1 globulin proteins may be due to:

Acute inflammatory disease
Cancer
Chronic inflammatory disease (for example, rheumatoid arthritis , SLE )

Decreased alpha-1 globulin proteins may be a sign of:

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Increased alpha-2 globulin proteins may indicate a:

Acute inflammation
Chronic inflammation

Decreased alpha-2 globulin proteins may indicate:

Breakdown of red blood cells ( hemolysis )

Increased beta globulin proteins may indicate:

A disorder in which the body has problems breaking down fats (for example, hyperlipoproteinemia, familial hypercholesterolemia )
Estrogen therapy

Decreased beta globulin proteins may indicate:

Abnormally low level of LDL cholesterol
Malnutrition

Increased gamma globulin proteins may indicate:

Bone marrow cancer called multiple myeloma
Chronic inflammatory disease (for example, rheumatoid arthritis )
Overactive immune system ( hyperimmunization )
Acute infection
White blood cell cancer called Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia
Chronic liver disease

Risks

There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

Excessive bleeding
Fainting or feeling lightheaded
Hematoma (blood buildup under the skin)
Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

References

Add references, clinical guidelines, textbooks, journal articles, or trusted medical sources here. You can edit this area later with a custom field named _rx_references.

Written by Dr. Harun Ar Rashid, MD - Arthritis, Bones, Joints Pain, Trauma, and Internal Medicine Specialist

Dr. Md. Harun Ar Rashid, MPH, MD, PhD, is a highly respected medical specialist celebrated for his exceptional clinical expertise and unwavering commitment to patient care. With advanced qualifications including MPH, MD, and PhD, he integrates cutting-edge research with a compassionate approach to medicine, ensuring that every patient receives personalized and effective treatment. His extensive training and hands-on experience enable him to diagnose complex conditions accurately and develop innovative treatment strategies tailored to individual needs. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Harun Ar Rashid is dedicated to medical education and research, writing and inventory creative thinking, innovative idea, critical care managementing make in his community to outreach, often participating in initiatives that promote health awareness and advance medical knowledge. His career is a testament to the high standards represented by his credentials, and he continues to contribute significantly to his field, driving improvements in both patient outcomes and healthcare practices. Born and educated in Bangladesh, Dr. Rashid earned his BPT from the University of Dhaka before pursuing postgraduate training internationally. He completed his MD in Internal Medicine at King’s College London, where he developed a special interest in inflammatory arthritis and metabolic bone disease. He then undertook a PhD in Orthopedic Science at the University of Oxford, conducting pioneering research on cytokine signaling pathways in rheumatoid arthritis. Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Rashid returned to clinical work with a fellowship in interventional pain management at the Rx University School of Medicine, refining his skills in image-guided joint injections and minimally invasive pain-relief techniques.