Skip to main content

Immunofixation (IFE), Serum, Protein Electrophoresis (PE), Serum, and Quantitative Free κ and λ Light Chains (FLC) Plus Ratio, Serum

Test Number 120256
Test number copied
CPT 82784(x3); 83521(x2); 84155; 84165; 86334
Synonyms
  • Free Light Chains, Quantitative, Serum
  • Freelite®
  • Globulins, Serum
  • IEP, Serum
  • IFE, Serum and Protein Electrophoresis, Serum
  • Immunoelectrophoresis for Myeloma Proteins
  • Kappa Free Light Chains, Quantitative, Serum
  • Kappa:Lambda Free Light Chains Ratio, Quantitative, Serum
  • Lambda Free Light Chains, Quantitative, Serum
  • Light Chains, Free κ and Free λ, Quantitative, Serum
  • Protein IEP
  • Serum IFE

Test Details

Methodology

Electrophoresis followed by immunodiffusion against monospecific antisera to immunoglobulin and individual heavy and light chains (IFE); protein electrophoresis on agarose media; turbidimetric quantitation of IgA, IgG, and IgM; turbidimetric quantitation of free κ and λ light chains

Result Turnaround Time

3 - 5 days

Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.

Related Information

Related Documents

For more information, please view the literature below.

Serum Free Light Chain Assays for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Myeloma

Published Plasma Cell Dyscrasias Selection Table

Diagnosing Multiple Myeloma

Test Includes

Quantitation of serum immunoglobulins IgA, IgG, and IgM; IFE qualitative interpretation of heavy- and light-chain patterns; serum protein electrophoresis; quantitation of serum free κ and λ light chains plus κ:λ ratio

Use

Detect and identify monoclonal gammopathy (M protein) found on serum protein electrophoresis; diagnose myeloma, macroglobulinemia of Waldenström; evaluate amyloidosis; evaluate lymphoproliferative disease (malignant lymphoma and others) and collagen disease in general; diagnose and characterize immune deficient and dysgammaglobulinemic states

Special Instructions

State patient's age and clinical diagnosis on the test request form.

Footnotes

1. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines™) for Multiple Myeloma, Version 1.2011. Fort Washington, Pa: NCCN; 2011.
2. Dispenzieri A, Kyle R, Merlini G, et al. International Myeloma Working Group guidelines for serum-free light chain analysis in multiple myeloma and related disorders. Leukemia. 2009 Feb; 23(2): 215-224.19020545

Custom Additional Information

The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines™) recommend the use of serum free light chain assays in the initial diagnostic work-up of multiple myeloma and related disorders.

"Use of free light chain (FLC) assay along with SPEP and SIFE yields high sensitivity while screening for MM and related plasma cell disorders. Therefore, this assay is now included as a part of the initial diagnostic work-up in the NCCN Multiple Myeloma Guidelines."1

If screening for plasma cell dyscrasias, the International Myeloma Working Group recommends a screening panel consisting of serum free light chain assay, serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), and serum immunofixation (IFE) to maximize sensitivity. (A 24-hour urine IFE can be added if AL amyloidosis is suspected.)2

Specimen Requirements

Specimen

Serum

Volume

5.5 mL

Minimum Volume

2.2 mL

Container

Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube

Collection Instructions

Sample should be allowed to clot and the serum separated as soon as possible to prevent hemolysis.

Stability Requirements

Temperature

Period

Room temperature

14 days

Refrigerated

14 days

Frozen

14 days

Freeze/thaw cycles

Stable x3

Storage Instructions

IFE: Refrigerated. PE and FLC: Room temperature

Patient Preparation

Overnight fasting is preferred, but not required.

Causes for Rejection

Plasma sample

LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
120256 IFE, PE and FLC, Serum 001776 Immunoglobulin G, Qn, Serum mg/dL 2465-3
120256 IFE, PE and FLC, Serum 001784 Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum mg/dL 2458-8
120256 IFE, PE and FLC, Serum 001792 Immunoglobulin M, Qn, Serum mg/dL 2472-9
120256 IFE, PE and FLC, Serum 001073 Protein, Total g/dL 2885-2
120256 IFE, PE and FLC, Serum 149521 Alpha-1-Globulin g/dL 2865-4
120256 IFE, PE and FLC, Serum 149522 Alpha-2-Globulin g/dL 2868-8
120256 IFE, PE and FLC, Serum 149523 Beta Globulin g/dL 2871-2
120256 IFE, PE and FLC, Serum 149524 Gamma Globulin g/dL 2874-6
120256 IFE, PE and FLC, Serum 149525 M-Spike g/dL 33358-3
120256 IFE, PE and FLC, Serum 149530 Globulin, Total g/dL 2336-6
120256 IFE, PE and FLC, Serum 149531 A/G Ratio 1759-0
120256 IFE, PE and FLC, Serum 149519 Immunofixation Result, Serum 13169-8
120256 IFE, PE and FLC, Serum 149534 Please note: 77202-0
120256 IFE, PE and FLC, Serum 001498 PDF 11502-2
120256 IFE, PE and FLC, Serum 121138 Free Kappa Lt Chains,S mg/L 36916-5
120256 IFE, PE and FLC, Serum 121139 Free Lambda Lt Chains,S mg/L 33944-0
120256 IFE, PE and FLC, Serum 121141 Kappa/Lambda Ratio,S 48378-4
Order Code120256
Order Code NameIFE, PE and FLC, Serum
Order Loinc
Result Code001776
Result Code NameImmunoglobulin G, Qn, Serum
UofMmg/dL
Result LOINC2465-3
Order Code120256
Order Code NameIFE, PE and FLC, Serum
Order Loinc
Result Code001784
Result Code NameImmunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum
UofMmg/dL
Result LOINC2458-8
Order Code120256
Order Code NameIFE, PE and FLC, Serum
Order Loinc
Result Code001792
Result Code NameImmunoglobulin M, Qn, Serum
UofMmg/dL
Result LOINC2472-9
Order Code120256
Order Code NameIFE, PE and FLC, Serum
Order Loinc
Result Code001073
Result Code NameProtein, Total
UofMg/dL
Result LOINC2885-2
Order Code120256
Order Code NameIFE, PE and FLC, Serum
Order Loinc
Result Code149521
Result Code NameAlpha-1-Globulin
UofMg/dL
Result LOINC2865-4
Order Code120256
Order Code NameIFE, PE and FLC, Serum
Order Loinc
Result Code149522
Result Code NameAlpha-2-Globulin
UofMg/dL
Result LOINC2868-8
Order Code120256
Order Code NameIFE, PE and FLC, Serum
Order Loinc
Result Code149523
Result Code NameBeta Globulin
UofMg/dL
Result LOINC2871-2
Order Code120256
Order Code NameIFE, PE and FLC, Serum
Order Loinc
Result Code149524
Result Code NameGamma Globulin
UofMg/dL
Result LOINC2874-6
Order Code120256
Order Code NameIFE, PE and FLC, Serum
Order Loinc
Result Code149525
Result Code NameM-Spike
UofMg/dL
Result LOINC33358-3
Order Code120256
Order Code NameIFE, PE and FLC, Serum
Order Loinc
Result Code149530
Result Code NameGlobulin, Total
UofMg/dL
Result LOINC2336-6
Order Code120256
Order Code NameIFE, PE and FLC, Serum
Order Loinc
Result Code149531
Result Code NameA/G Ratio
UofM
Result LOINC1759-0
Order Code120256
Order Code NameIFE, PE and FLC, Serum
Order Loinc
Result Code149519
Result Code NameImmunofixation Result, Serum
UofM
Result LOINC13169-8
Order Code120256
Order Code NameIFE, PE and FLC, Serum
Order Loinc
Result Code149534
Result Code NamePlease note:
UofM
Result LOINC77202-0
Order Code120256
Order Code NameIFE, PE and FLC, Serum
Order Loinc
Result Code001498
Result Code NamePDF
UofM
Result LOINC11502-2
Order Code120256
Order Code NameIFE, PE and FLC, Serum
Order Loinc
Result Code121138
Result Code NameFree Kappa Lt Chains,S
UofMmg/L
Result LOINC36916-5
Order Code120256
Order Code NameIFE, PE and FLC, Serum
Order Loinc
Result Code121139
Result Code NameFree Lambda Lt Chains,S
UofMmg/L
Result LOINC33944-0
Order Code120256
Order Code NameIFE, PE and FLC, Serum
Order Loinc
Result Code121141
Result Code NameKappa/Lambda Ratio,S
UofM
Result LOINC48378-4
Reflex Table for Immunofixation Result, Serum
Order Code Order Name Result Code Result Name UofM Result LOINC
Reflex 1 149532 Immunofixation Interp.,Sr 149532 Immunofixation Interp.,Sr 13169-8
Reflex 1
Order Code149532
Order NameImmunofixation Interp.,Sr
Result Code149532
Result NameImmunofixation Interp.,Sr
UofM
Result LOINC13169-8