SPEP
Medical abbreviation · Laboratory Test
| Stands for | Serum protein electrophoresis |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
SPEP stands for Serum protein electrophoresis, a laboratory test abbreviation.
Separates serum proteins by electrical charge into albumin and alpha-1, alpha-2, beta and gamma globulin bands. A sharp spike in the gamma region (an M-protein or monoclonal spike) suggests a plasma cell disorder such as multiple myeloma or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).
Example: SPEP shows a 1.8 g/dL M-spike; immunofixation and free light chains sent.
Usage notes
Usually paired with immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) to identify the antibody class and with serum free light chain testing; the urine counterpart is UPEP. A broad, polyclonal rise in gamma globulins points instead to chronic inflammation, liver disease or HIV infection rather than a clonal process.
Related abbreviations
More laboratory test abbreviations
- Rh – Rhesus (D antigen)
- RI – Reference interval
- RPR – Rapid plasma reagin
- SG – Specific gravity
- SGOT – Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase
- SGPT – Serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
- SST – Serum separator tube
- T&C – Type and crossmatch
- T&S – Type and screen
- TAT – Turnaround time
- TBili – Total bilirubin
- TC – Total cholesterol
See all 135 laboratory test abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.