What is EPG blood test?

What is this test? Protein electrophoresis is a test that measures specific proteins in the blood. The test separates proteins in the blood based on their electrical charge. The protein electrophoresis test is often used to find abnormal substances called M proteins.

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What is serum protein EPG?

Serum protein electrophoresis (EPG) separates serum proteins based on their electrical charge, producing a characteristic pattern. Electrophoresis is a useful screening test for plasma cell neoplasms such as multiple myeloma and MGUS.

What diseases does serum protein electrophoresis test for?

Serum protein electrophoresis is used to identify patients with multiple myeloma and other serum protein disorders. Electrophoresis separates proteins based on their physical properties, and the subsets of these proteins are used in interpreting the results.

What does a high serum protein level mean?

High total protein: Too much protein in your blood can be a sign of chronic infection or inflammation (like HIV/AIDS or viral hepatitis). It can also be an early sign of a bone marrow disorder. Low A/G ratio: This might be the sign an autoimmune disorder, where your body’s immune system attacks healthy cells.

What is usually the first symptom of multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma causes many symptoms, but bone pain often is the first symptom people notice. Other symptoms include: Weakness in your arms and legs and/or a sensation of numbness in your arms and legs. Multiple myeloma can affect the bones in your spine, causing them to collapse and press on your spinal cord.

What cancers cause high protein in blood?

When plasma cells are cancerous and grow out of control, it’s called multiple myeloma. These cancer cells build up in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy cells. They also make M proteins. Higher levels of M protein in the blood can lead to complications.

Should I be worried about high protein in blood?

A high total protein level could indicate dehydration or a certain type of cancer, such as multiple myeloma, that causes protein to accumulate abnormally. If the result of a total protein test is abnormal, further tests will be needed to identify which proteins are too high or too low.

What causes high serum protein electrophoresis?

Usually, the amount of total protein in your blood is relatively stable. High blood protein may be a symptom of underlying medical conditions, including dehydration, infections like hepatitis C or cancers like multiple myeloma.

Should I be worried about slightly high protein in blood?

High blood protein is not a specific disease or condition in itself, but it might indicate you have a disease. High blood protein rarely causes signs or symptoms on its own. But sometimes it is uncovered while you’re having blood tests done as part of an evaluation for some other problem or symptom.

How long can you have myeloma without knowing?

Some people have multiple myeloma for months or years before they even know they’re sick. This earliest phase is called smoldering multiple myeloma. When you have it, you won’t have any symptoms, but your test results will show: At least 10% to 59% of your bone marrow is made up of cancerous plasma cells.

What conditions are mistaken for myeloma?

Myeloma shares some similar features and symptoms with other blood disorders, including:

Monoclonal gammopathy.
Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM)
Primary amyloidosis.
Heavy chain disease.
Light chain deposition disease (LCDD)
Plasma cell leukemia (PCL)
POEMS syndrome.

What are the early warning signs of multiple myeloma?

Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma can vary and, early in the disease, there may be none.
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When signs and symptoms do occur, they can include:

Bone pain, especially in your spine or chest.
Nausea.
Constipation.
Loss of appetite.
Mental fogginess or confusion.
Fatigue.
Frequent infections.
Weight loss.

Will drinking water reduce protein in blood?

Drinking water is a good way to help get rid of high protein in your body. Your body is a fascinating, well-oiled machine that’s extremely effective at balancing the amount of protein in your blood and urine when everything is working as it should.

What are the red flags for multiple myeloma?

High blood levels of calcium

Extreme thirst, leading to drinking a lot. Urinating (peeing) a lot. Dehydration. Kidney problems and even kidney failure.

When should I suspect myeloma?

Multiple myeloma should be considered as a diagnosis in patients over 50 years of age with back pain persisting more than one month if one or more red flags (Table 1) are identified.

What is the first stage of multiple myeloma?

This earliest phase is called smoldering multiple myeloma. When you have it, you won’t have any symptoms, but your test results will show: At least 10% to 59% of your bone marrow is made up of cancerous plasma cells. You have the abnormal antibodies that myeloma cells make in your blood or urine.

What are the signs of too much protein?

Symptoms associated with too much protein include:

intestinal discomfort and indigestion.
dehydration.
unexplained exhaustion.
nausea.
irritability.
headache.
diarrhea.

What is usually the first early symptom of multiple myeloma?

The most common symptom of multiple myeloma is bone pain, particularly in the spine and ribs. Other early signs of multiple myeloma include: Nausea. Constipation.

What was your first symptom of multiple myeloma?

Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma can vary and, early in the disease, there may be none. When signs and symptoms do occur, they can include: Bone pain, especially in your spine or chest. Nausea.

What are the warning signs of multiple myeloma?

How fast does myeloma progress?

The risk of myeloma progressing is highest in the first 5 years after diagnosis. About 50 out of 100 people (50%) with smouldering myeloma develop symptoms and need treatment within the first 5 years. However, after 5 years the risk decreases and some people never develop symptoms or need treatment.

What infections cause high protein in blood?

What causes high blood protein?

Dehydration.
Chronic (long-term) inflammation or inflammatory disorders.
Infections caused by viruses, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS.
Certain cancers, like multiple myeloma, sarcoidosis and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.
Severe liver or kidney disease.

What are the warning signs of myeloma?

When signs and symptoms do occur, they can include:

Bone pain, especially in your spine or chest.
Nausea.
Constipation.
Loss of appetite.
Mental fogginess or confusion.
Fatigue.
Frequent infections.
Weight loss.

What is EPG blood test?