Pathlab is changing the method of quantitating bands in the alpha and beta regions identified by protein electrophoresis from tangent skimming to perpendicular drop. This change will harmonise the quantitation of bands in the Midlands region.
The new method, perpendicular drop, will result in an increase in band quantitation for monoclonal immunoglobulins identified in the beta region as the measurement includes the other underlying proteins that co-migrate in the beta region. With the next sample, the size of band will be reported with both the old and new technique to provide a new baseline.
Reporting of both band quantitation methods will only be performed once on the patient’s first presentation after 15 April 2024.
Patients with newly monoclonal immunoglobulins identified after 15 April 2024 will be measured by the new method only.
Please contact biochemistry department, Pathlab Waikato (on 07 858 0795), to discuss.
Example report:
The previously detected IgA kappa monoclonal immunoglobulin is present in the beta region. Band quantitation is overestimated because the quantitation includes other underlying proteins. Background immunoglobulins appear reduced.
Note: Change in Band Quantitation measurement method.
By the previous method band quantitation = 10 g/L. -- Old band quantitation
Band Quantitation: 25 g/L. -- New band quantitation
Other helpful resources:
http://www.myeloma.org https://midland.communityhealthpathways.org/16173.htm