A serum immunofixation test measures specific proteins in your blood. It helps to identify certain illnesses that are otherwise hard to detect, such as multiple myeloma, a blood cancer.
The test is also known as IFE, immunofixation electrophoresis, or protein electrophoresis.
What Does a Serum Immunofixation Test Show?
Proteins are an essential part of your blood. They strengthen your immune system and help in the transportation of oxygen around the body.
The immunofixation blood test focuses on the presence of proteins in your blood. There are two primary types of proteins in your blood: albumin and globulin. The test divides these proteins into subgroups according to their electrical charge and size. This process is known as electrophoresis.
The subgroups are:
- Albumin
- Alpha-1 globulin
- Alpha-2 globulin
- Beta globulin
- Gamma globulin
A lab specialist uses a dye to attach to these proteins and stain them. This helps doctors examine the proteins in each subgroup and diagnose several diseases, especially multiple myeloma (a blood cancer).
The serum immunofixation test also tells the doctor whether your body produces or loses normal proteins. It can also find if your body is facing difficulties absorbing proteins from foods.
Once proteins are identified, they are fixed in place using antibodies and stained. These proteins form patterned bands that can be observed on a computer monitor. The peaks and valleys of the bands will indicate whether you have too many or too few proteins in your blood.
The band pattern is usually different for specific diseases.
Why Do I Need a Serum Immunofixation Test?
This test is usually done to diagnose several different conditions, including:
- Multiple myeloma, a cancer of the white blood cells
- Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system (which fights germs)
- Leukemia, a blood cancer
- Kidney diseases
- Autoimmune diseases
- Liver diseases
- Neurological disorders
- Malnutrition or malabsorption, conditions in which your diet doesn't give enough nutrients
How Is the IFE Test Done?
The serum immunofixation test is most often done with a blood sample.
In some cases, the test is done with a urine sample. These tests are performed when the IFE blood test doesn't give normal results.
You don't have to do anything before going for this test. Just don't forget to inform your doctor about any medicines or supplements you are already taking.
What Do My Test Results Mean?
Several factors may affect your serum immunofixation test results. They include your family health history, age, the method used for the test, and gender.
Your results will also show the range of your protein levels. Ideally, it should be normal and not too high or low.
If your doctor diagnoses monoclonal proteins or M-proteins, that will indicate that you have multiple myeloma. The doctor will then conduct some more tests to confirm these results.
Many medical conditions affect the production of proteins by your body. Some causes of high protein levels are:
- Dehydration
- Liver diseases
- Inflammatory diseases like Crohn's disease or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Kidney diseases
- High cholesterol
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Multiple myeloma
- Lymphoma
- Certain infections
Some causes of low protein levels include:
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, an inherited disorder leading to many lung diseases at an early age
- Kidney diseases
- Liver diseases
- Malnutrition
- Certain autoimmune disorders
Does the Serum Immunofixation Test Have Risks?
No. The serum immunofixation test uses a blood sample. The site where the needle goes to draw blood may be slightly sore afterward.