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Immunoelectrophoresis - urine

Definition

Urine immunoelectrophoresis is a test that measures immunoglobulins in a urine sample.

Immunoglobulins are proteins that function as antibodies. There are various types of these proteins. Some can be abnormal.

See also: Immunoelectrophoresis - serum

Alternative Names

Immunoglobulin electrophoresis - urine; Gamma globulin electrophoresis - urine; Urine immunoglobulin electrophoresis; IEP - urine

How the test is performed

Collect a "clean-catch" (midstream) urine sample. To obtain a clean-catch sample, men or boys should wipe clean the head of the penis. Women or girls need to wash the area between the labia (lips of the vagina) with soapy water and rinse well.

As you start to urinate, allow a small amount to fall into the toilet bowl. This clears the urethra -- the tube that carries urine from the bladder and opens to the outside. Then, in a clean container, catch about 1 - 2 ounces of urine. Remove the container from the urine stream. Give the container to the health care provider or assistant.

In an infant, thoroughly wash the area around the opening of the urethra. Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end), and place it on your infant. For males, the entire penis can be placed in the bag and the adhesive attached to the skin. For females, the bag is placed over the labia. Place a diaper over the infant (bag and all).

Check your baby frequently, and remove the bag after the infant has urinated into it. For active infants, this procedure may take a couple of attempts. Lively infants can displace the bag, making it difficult to get the specimen. Drain the urine into a container for transport back to the health care provider.

The laboratory technician uses electrical charges to separate and identify various immunoglobulins in the urine.

How to prepare for the test

Your health care provider may recommend that you collect the first morning urine, which is the most concentrated.

If you are taking the collection from an infant, you may need extra collection bags.

How the test will feel

The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.

Why the test is performed

This test is used to measure the amounts of various immunoglobulins in urine. Most often, it is used as a screening test. It can be used in people who have protein in the urine, when urine protein electrophoresis indicates a large amount of globulins.

Normal Values

Normally there is no, or only a small amount, of protein in the urine. When there is protein in the urine, it normally consists of mainly albumin.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

What abnormal results mean

Immunoglobulin (antibodies) in the urine can result from:

• Kidney disorders such as IgA nephropathy or IgM nephropathy
• Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia

Abnormal results may also be due to certain types of cancer, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia or multiple myeloma. Cells related to these types of cancer produce a type of protein called a monoclonal immunoglobulin, which can be detected with this test. However, some people have monoclonal immunoglobulins, but do not have cancer. This is called “monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance," or MGUS.

What the risks are

Special considerations

References

McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006.

Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008.