In suspected plasma cell dyscrasia, electrophoresis is used to detect which abnormal protein?

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Multiple Choice

In suspected plasma cell dyscrasia, electrophoresis is used to detect which abnormal protein?

In suspected plasma cell dyscrasia, the key idea is that a single clone of plasma cells overproduces one type of immunoglobulin. This monoclonal immunoglobulin shows up on serum protein electrophoresis as a sharp, distinct spike known as the M-protein (or paraprotein). Detecting this abnormal protein is what indicates a monoclonal gammopathy linked to diseases like multiple myeloma or MGUS. Hemoglobin isn’t something we look for in serum protein electrophoresis, and albumin or fibrinogen are normal components that don’t signal a clonal overproduction. So the abnormal protein the test is detecting is the M-protein.

In suspected plasma cell dyscrasia, the key idea is that a single clone of plasma cells overproduces one type of immunoglobulin. This monoclonal immunoglobulin shows up on serum protein electrophoresis as a sharp, distinct spike known as the M-protein (or paraprotein). Detecting this abnormal protein is what indicates a monoclonal gammopathy linked to diseases like multiple myeloma or MGUS. Hemoglobin isn’t something we look for in serum protein electrophoresis, and albumin or fibrinogen are normal components that don’t signal a clonal overproduction. So the abnormal protein the test is detecting is the M-protein.

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