What Causes MGUS And AT Deficiency?

Posted on Fri, 20 Nov 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 20 Nov 2015 Answered on

Fri, 11 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Im been ask to test my blood as follows Proteins - Electrophoresis With alpha-1antitrpsin level and assessment of possible paraprotein
Clinical Details
?MGUS? ?A1 - AT deficiency?
What do these test mean

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Electrophoresis is advised to exclude two conditions.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Electrophoresis is advised to exclude two conditions MGUS(Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) and A1-AT(Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency)deficiency.

These are biochemical tests and separate different type of proteins.Under the electric field,particles get separated due to different relative motion and charge.It separate macromolecules based on size,density etc.

MGUS is a condition in which an abnormal protein (M protein,paraprotein) is present in blood. M protein is produced by plasma cells(type of white blood cell).

Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic disorder due to defective production of alpha 1-antitrypsin.It causes decreased A1AT activity in the blood and lungs.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar