The biomarker Abnormal Protein Band 1 is part of a blood test called "Protein Electrophoresis".
Protein electrophoresis is a test that measures specific proteins in the blood. The test separates proteins in the blood based on their electrical charge. The protein electrophoresis test is often used to find abnormal substances called M proteins (the M stands for "monoclonal").
The presence of M proteins can be a sign of a type of cancer called myeloma, or multiple myeloma. Myeloma affects white blood cells called plasma cells in the bone marrow. Protein electrophoresis also tests for other proteins and antibodies (immunoglobulins).
If the electrophoresis testing found any evidence of M proteins, the estimated amount of the monoclonal protein would be reported in the different bands (1, 2, and 3). Most people with monoclonal protein in their blood will have just one kind (band), and it will be reported as "Abnormal protein band 1". But some have two types (bands), and in rare cases there are three types (bands).
When an abnormal protein (band or peak) is detected, additional tests are done to identify the type of protein (immunotyping).
A variety of conditions are related to M proteins:
MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance). If you have this condition, you have both healthy plasma cells and abnormal ones. The abnormal plasma cells make M proteins that show up in your blood. Most of the time, MGUS doesn't cause any problems or symptoms. But for some people, MGUS turns into a harmful condition, such as multiple myeloma or lymphoma.
Smoldering multiple myeloma. This is the stage between MGUS and myeloma. There are more abnormal plasma cells and M proteins in the blood. Smoldering multiple myeloma usually doesn't cause any symptoms.
Multiple myeloma. When plasma cells are cancerous and grow out of control, it's called multiple myeloma. These cancer cells build up in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy cells. They also make M proteins. Higher levels of M protein in the blood can lead to complications.
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. This cancer affects small lymphocytes (white blood cells). These cancerous cells make M proteins. A buildup of these proteins can thicken the blood and lead to symptoms, such as fatigue and weight loss.
An abnormal protein band detected on a serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) test—often labeled as “Abnormal Protein Band 1”—indicates the presence of an unusual protein in the blood. This band may represent a monoclonal protein (or M protein), which is produced by a single clone of plasma cells.
SPEP is a lab technique that separates blood proteins based on their electrical charge, allowing doctors to detect abnormal patterns that may suggest certain diseases or conditions.
Why Monoclonal Proteins Matter
The presence of a monoclonal protein can be associated with several plasma cell or lymphoproliferative disorders. However, not all abnormal bands are monoclonal. Some are oligoclonal—meaning multiple small bands—which may appear during recovery from infections, after stem cell transplants, or as part of immune system activity.
Conditions Commonly Linked to Monoclonal Proteins
Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS):
A benign condition where a small amount of M protein is present without symptoms or organ damage. MGUS can remain stable for years but occasionally progresses to more serious disorders.
Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM):
An intermediate stage between MGUS and active multiple myeloma. It involves higher levels of M protein and more abnormal plasma cells, but typically no symptoms.
Multiple Myeloma:
A cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow. It causes large amounts of M protein and can lead to bone pain, anemia, kidney issues, and other symptoms.
Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia:
A rare lymphoma that produces excess IgM antibodies. This can cause thickened blood, fatigue, vision changes, bleeding, or neurological problems.
Other Causes:
Less commonly, abnormal bands may be linked to heavy chain diseases, solitary plasmacytomas, or temporary immune responses after infections or therapies.
Next Steps: Important Follow-Up Testing
Finding an abnormal protein band is just the beginning. Additional testing is critical to determine the type of protein and its clinical relevance:
Immunofixation Electrophoresis (IFE):
Confirms the specific type of immunoglobulin (e.g., IgG, IgA, IgM) and whether it is monoclonal.
Serum Free Light Chain Assay:
Detects excess light chains in the blood, useful for identifying light chain myeloma.
24-Hour Urine Protein Electrophoresis:
Identifies M proteins that may be excreted in the urine.
Bone Marrow Biopsy and Imaging:
Recommended if multiple myeloma or a related disorder is suspected.
Why Clinical Context Is Key
The significance of an abnormal band depends on the patient’s symptoms, overall health, and additional test results. Small, stable M proteins often indicate MGUS and may require only monitoring. Larger or increasing amounts may signal a more serious underlying disorder. Broader bands representing polyclonal protein increases are typically linked to chronic infections, autoimmune disease, or liver conditions—not cancer.
Conclusion: What You Should Do Next
If your SPEP results show an abnormal protein band, don’t panic—but don’t ignore it either. Speak with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and appropriate follow-up testing. Early detection and monitoring can help ensure the best possible outcomes.
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Healthmatters is a personal health dashboard that helps you organize and understand your lab results. It collects and displays your medical test data from any lab in one secure, easy-to-use platform.
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You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.
If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.
While we work with many popular labs, we welcome reports from lots of other places too.
It's as simple as this: if you can get a test done, you can upload it to Healthmatters and we can interpret results from any lab out there. If laboratories can analyze it, we can interpret it.
If you're on the hunt for a specific biomarker, contact us and we'll add it to our database. Anything from blood, urine, saliva, or stool can be uploaded, understood, and tracked with your Healthmatters account.
The Complete Plan ($15/month) is perfect for individuals who want ongoing access to their health data. It includes unlimited lab imports, visual tracking, custom ranges, result explanations, full account exports, and secure sharing — all with a simple monthly subscription. You can cancel anytime and restart your plan whenever you're ready — your data will still be there waiting for you. You can also upgrade to the Unlimited Plan at any time, with the cost prorated based on what you've already paid.
The Unlimited Plan ($250 one-time) is also designed for individuals but offers lifetime access with no ongoing subscription. You'll get all the same features as the Complete Plan, plus a larger initial data entry allowance (10 reports), making it a great choice if you prefer a one-time payment and long-term use without monthly fees.
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There are two ways to add your test reports to your Healthmatters account. One option is to input the data using the data entry forms. The other method is to utilize our "Data entry service."
Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.
For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you.
We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.
Our Data Entry Service is for when you don't want to manually type in your lab results yourself. You simply upload your report (PDF, image, or screenshot), and our trained team enters the information into your Healthmatters account for you — accurately and neatly organized, ready to view in graphs, tables, and timelines.
The $15 per report covers the time and care it takes for a real person to review your file, make sure each result is entered correctly, and double-check for accuracy. This ensures your health data is precise and easy to work with — without you having to spend the time doing it yourself.
Prefer to do it yourself? You can always use our free self-entry tool to add results manually — it just takes a bit more time and attention.
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All professional accounts allow you to import and onboard an unlimited number of clients and their lab results. The distinction between professional plans lies solely in the data entry service.
The Pro Monthly Plus plan is priced at $75 per month and includes a data entry service for five reports each month. Additional reports can be self-entered at no extra cost or, if preferred, you can use our data entry service for an additional fee of $15 per report.
The Pro Monthly plan is priced at $45 per month and does not include a data entry service. Self-entry is free for an unlimited number of reports, and you can opt for the data entry service at a fee of $15 per report.
You also have the option to upgrade to higher monthly or to annual plans, which come with substantial discounts. All upgrades can be done directly from your account.
Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.
Our goal has been to make your Healthmatters account as intuitive as possible.
We've crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into your historical test reports.
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Yes, you can! We highly recommend activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your account. To do so, please navigate to the "Profile and Security" section of your account, where you will find instructions for activating 2FA.
Yes, you can. When entering values for the biomarker, you will see an "Edit Range" button. Click this button, and you'll have the option to enter a custom range.
A personal account is all about keeping your own lab test results in check. It's just for you and your personal use.
The professional account is designed for health professionals who wish to track and organize their clients' laboratory results.
To learn more about Healthmatters Pro, please refer to the professional page.
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Optimal Result:
0 - 0.01 g/dL.