I am currently in the middle of testing for possible plasma cell dyscrasia / myeloma (IgG lambda). My free light chain assay shows an abnormally low kappa result, an abnormally low lambda result, and an abnormally low ratio. I've been trying to read about what the possible causes are of a low ratio, and it's extremely confusing.
Can anyone tell me what an abnormally LOW kappa- lambda ratio could mean? Causes?
Thank you so much!
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Re: Low kappa, lambda, and kappa-lambda ratio
Dear AustinLisa,
In the process of producing normal antibodies (which consist of a heavy chain of IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD or IgE and a kappa or lambda light chain complexed to one another), everyone produces low levels of excess free kappa and free lambda light chains at baseline, which are detectable in the serum and/or urine at low levels. The fact that both the kappa and lambda free light chain levels are low would suggest that you may be producing a decreased amount of normal antibodies (i.e. that you are hypogammaglobulinemic).
Have you had IgG, IgM, and IgA testing done? The low free light chain ratio is a function of the fact that you are making a disproportionate amount of free lambda light chains relative to free kappa light chains. This is likely due to the production of this monoclonal IgG lambda antibody that is being made by a rogue clone of plasma cells. This can occur in any plasma cell disorder, including MGUS, smoldering myeloma, symptomatic myeloma, AL amyloidosis. Let's hope for MGUS!
Let us know how things go. Good luck!
Pete V.
In the process of producing normal antibodies (which consist of a heavy chain of IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD or IgE and a kappa or lambda light chain complexed to one another), everyone produces low levels of excess free kappa and free lambda light chains at baseline, which are detectable in the serum and/or urine at low levels. The fact that both the kappa and lambda free light chain levels are low would suggest that you may be producing a decreased amount of normal antibodies (i.e. that you are hypogammaglobulinemic).
Have you had IgG, IgM, and IgA testing done? The low free light chain ratio is a function of the fact that you are making a disproportionate amount of free lambda light chains relative to free kappa light chains. This is likely due to the production of this monoclonal IgG lambda antibody that is being made by a rogue clone of plasma cells. This can occur in any plasma cell disorder, including MGUS, smoldering myeloma, symptomatic myeloma, AL amyloidosis. Let's hope for MGUS!
Let us know how things go. Good luck!
Pete V.
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Dr. Peter Voorhees - Name: Peter Voorhees, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Low kappa, lambda, and kappa-lambda ratio
Wow, I know this is an older post, but I am so grateful for finding it! Thank you, AustinLisa, for asking. I have been searching like crazy to find out about low levels.
3 posts
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