Abstract
The study takes a brief look at the methods currently being used, discussing their significance, the problems faced in their definition and interpretation. Among the primary clinical-biochemical methods, there are agarose electrophoresis and capillary electrophoresis.
Immunofixation electrophoresis has completely replaced immunoelectrophoresis in determining immunoglobin classes and antigen types of paraprotein light chains. Immunofixation is more sensitive and quicker.
The determining of the concentration of free light chains (non-secretory myeloma, AL amyloidosis, illness from light chains) has also found its place in the algorithm of laboratory methods used in monoclonal gammopathy. Out of the many prognostic factors, the combination ß2-microglobulin and albumin has been chosen as the easiest and the one with the highest informative value.
The spectrum of laboratory examinations is completed by determining the viscosity of serum and identification of cryoglobulins.