Urinary Protein Electrophoresis

Proteins are found in the blood of healthy people. They play an important role in supporting optimal body functioning and health. For example, they:

• carry oxygen to where it’s needed in the body
• aid in digestion
• support muscle movement
• fight off disease
• support the growth and maintenance of tissues throughout the entire body

Receive all our future posts instantly in your inbox. Enter your email to enroll.

Urine protein electrophoresis (UPEP) is a test your doctor can use to determine if there’s protein in your urine. It can also help your doctor find out how much of each type of protein is present.

What does a UPEP test measure?

Most of the proteins in your body that help keep you healthy can be placed into two major groups: albumin and globulins.

Albumin is a single protein that’s found in high levels in the blood. Most globulins are produced in the liver. They include four main types of proteins:

• alpha-1 globulin
• alpha-2 globulin
• beta globulin
• gamma globulin

UPEP measures the levels of both major types of proteins in the urine.

How the Test is Performed

A clean-catch urine sample is needed. The clean-catch method is used to prevent germs from the penis or vagina from getting into a urine sample. To collect your urine, the health care provider may give you a special clean-catch kit that contains a cleansing solution and sterile wipes. Follow the instructions exactly.

After you provide a urine sample, it is sent to the laboratory. There, the laboratory specialist will place the urine sample on special paper and apply an electric current. The proteins move and form visible bands. These reveal the general amounts of each protein.

How to Prepare for the Test

Your provider may tell you to stop taking certain medicines that could interfere with the test. Medicines that can affect test results include:

• Chlorpromazine
• Corticosteroids
• Isoniazid
• Neomycin
• Phenacemide
• Salicylates
• Sulfonamides
• Tolbutamide

Do not stop taking any medicine without first talking to your provider.

Normal Results

No significant amount of globulins are found in the urine. Urine albumin is less than 5 mg/dL.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different specimens. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

If the urine sample has a significant amount of globulins or higher than normal level of albumin, it may mean any of the following:

• Acute inflammation
• Abnormal protein buildup in tissues and organs (amyloidosis)
• Decreased kidney function
• Kidney disease due to diabetes (diabetic nephropathy)
• Kidney failure
• A type of blood cancer called multiple myeloma
• Group of symptoms that include protein in the urine, low protein level in the blood, swelling (nephrotic syndrome)
• Acute urinary tract infection

Related Articles: