Wallach's Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests: Pathways to Arriving at a Clinical Diagnosis (1215 page)

   Greater than two bands: oligoclonal hypergammaglobulinemia (present in low concentrations, transient, results in polyclonal processes); autoimmune, viral, bacterial, parasitic infections; restoration of immunoglobulin synthesis of immunosuppressants, 15% normal (no clinical significance)

Decreased In

   
Albumin

   Congenital analbuminemia

   Nutritional deficiency

   Decreased synthesis

   Hepatocellular insufficiency, damaged liver (cirrhosis, hepatitis)

   Organ, tissue loss

   Urinary (nephrotic syndrome), cutaneous (excessive burns) urinary excretion in pregnancy

   Hypercatabolism

   Endocrine disorders (thyrotoxicosis, Cushing syndrome)

   
Alpha-1 globulin

   Hepatocellular insufficiency

   Malnutrition, protein loss