[baccalynnwv]

Asymmetrical gamma monoclonal spike

by baccalynnwv on Fri Jun 02, 2017 11:48 am

Hello,

I have no idea what all this means, even after searching the net for info.

I go to a hematologist for factor V Leiden clotting disorder. I had been complaining for months of extreme night sweats, so she thought she would run labs.

I have some comments on the labs, which were completed on the 30th of May. I have not yet had a call from my doctor, so I am assuming its not a big deal. Searching the Internet keeps bringing up myeloma, so I thought I would see what you all thought.

One comment says an "asymmetrical gamma monoclonal spike" was detected for the monoclonal spike (M-Spike) test.

A comment under another test says "immunofixation, serum, interpretation - no monoclonality detected", which I am assuming is good.

Another comment says "A protein electrophoresis scan result is pending.

What does this mean?

I am a 37 year old, Caucasian female.

Thanks in advance.

[Multibilly]

Re: Asymmetrical gamma monoclonal spike

by Multibilly on Sat Jun 03, 2017 7:33 pm

Hmmmm. Were all of these tests blood (serum) tests, or did you also collect your urine for 24 hours before getting these tests?

The test that would visually show the presence of any sort of monoclonal spike is in fact the serum protein electrophoresis test (SPEP). So, it's curious that your results also state that a protein electrophoresis test is "pending". Also, there really isn't a test called an "m-spike test". Do the notes specifically mention the name of the test that yielded the asymmetrical m-spike?

In any case, the good news is that the serum immunofixation test states that no monoclonality was detected. The serum immunofixation test is more sensitive than a serum protein electrophoresis test at detecting the presence of any monoclonal protein in your blood. So my guess is that something is showing up on one of your tests that sort of looks like a monoclonal spike (which can either appear a bit asymmetrical or as a very sharp and narrow peak on an electrophoresis graph), but isn't truly a monoclonal spike since your immunofixation test results are negative for mono­clonality.

In any case, this is all just guessing from a layman and your doctor is the best person to comment on all this.

[baccalynnwv]

Re: Asymmetrical gamma monoclonal spike

by baccalynnwv on Mon Jun 05, 2017 9:00 am

Hi. Thank you for your response!

This was just blood work they took before a regular appointment. No urine collection. For the last 1.5 years I have had extreme night sweating and exhaustion, so she ran some different labs at this appointment.

I also have a connective tissue disorder and factor V Leiden. Maybe those affect the labs somewhat? I get a check up with my hematologist every 6 months, so I'm sure if things start changing she will let me know. The only reason she didn't review these specific labs was because they were having computer issues at the time of my appointment. She went over all the others with me.

I might be reading the lab results all wrong. I wish I could post a picture of it but I have no idea how to do that. I'm going to try and cut and paste them. But, I think everything is OK. I'm sure they would have called me if they were worried about anything.

Results
Lab Comments
Protein electrophoresis scan will follow via computer, mail, or courier delivery.
(Chemistries Lab result note)

Lab Test
Immunoglobulin A measurement (IgA, quant)
Result
175 mg/dL
Range
87 || 352

Lab Test
Immunoglobulin G measurement (IgG, quant)
Result
1105 mg/dL
Range
700 || 1600

Lab Test
Immunoglobulin M measurement (IgM, quant)
Result
148 mg/dL
Range
26 || 217

Lab Test
(Immunofixation, serum, interpretation)
Result
Show Comments
Results
Comment
Lab Comments
No monoclonality detected.
Range

Comment:
Lab Comments: ASYMMETRICAL GAMMA
Monoclonal spike, SPE (M-spike, SPE)
Show Comments
Lab Test: Monoclonal spike, SPE (M-spike, SPE)
Result
Lab Comments
ASYMMETRICAL GAMMA