I have been absent for quite some time now, but after getting my results yesterday from my physician, I noticed that a new data point has crept into the red on my report. This one is called:
Beta 2 Glob
Not to be confused with beta 2 microglobulin. My lab results for this test have been constantly creeping up. The last three months it has gone from 0.5 to 0.7.
All my research turns up not much about this test and me and my physician have never discussed it. Is it of concern?
Any help would be appreciated.
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Re: "Beta 2 Glob"?
If everything else is fine (SPEP, etc) --then it falls into the "non-specific" category. ??
I have had a couple of similar blips, thru the past few years, and they have been chalked up to " possible infection(s), possible immune system responses, but not specific".
Not much of an answer, I admit--but that is all I got for an answer.
Ask your Doc. ?
Good Luck.
I have had a couple of similar blips, thru the past few years, and they have been chalked up to " possible infection(s), possible immune system responses, but not specific".
Not much of an answer, I admit--but that is all I got for an answer.
Ask your Doc. ?
Good Luck.
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Rneb
Re: "Beta 2 Glob"?
Hi Runner,
I can't say for certain without knowing the exact test the "Beta 2 Glob" was from, but I'm guessing it was from a serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP). That test usually reports results that, when written out in full, without abbreviations, has values for the following proteins:
Total Protein
Albumin
Alpha 1 Globulin
Alpha 2 Globulin
Beta 1 Globulin
Beta 2 Globulin
Gamma Globulin
M-Spike (or "M protein", "Monoclonal protein," etc.)
The "Beta 2 Glob" you mention is probably the "Beta 2 Globulin" that is usually reported in these sorts of tests.
The monoclonal protein that myeloma patients have when their disease is diagnosed, or when they are not fully in remission, is what is measured by the "M-spike". That protein is usually in the "Gamma Globulin" group of proteins, but it you also see it often in the beta globulins. If I recall correctly, if a person has IgA myeloma, it is more likely that one or more beta globulins will be elevated, rather than the gamma globulins.
In any case, if your beta 2 globulin has been creeping up, this could be a sign that your M-spike is going up. Of course, the best way to check for that is to see what the M-spike number is on the same report! Has it going up as well?
I can't say for certain without knowing the exact test the "Beta 2 Glob" was from, but I'm guessing it was from a serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP). That test usually reports results that, when written out in full, without abbreviations, has values for the following proteins:
Total Protein
Albumin
Alpha 1 Globulin
Alpha 2 Globulin
Beta 1 Globulin
Beta 2 Globulin
Gamma Globulin
M-Spike (or "M protein", "Monoclonal protein," etc.)
The "Beta 2 Glob" you mention is probably the "Beta 2 Globulin" that is usually reported in these sorts of tests.
The monoclonal protein that myeloma patients have when their disease is diagnosed, or when they are not fully in remission, is what is measured by the "M-spike". That protein is usually in the "Gamma Globulin" group of proteins, but it you also see it often in the beta globulins. If I recall correctly, if a person has IgA myeloma, it is more likely that one or more beta globulins will be elevated, rather than the gamma globulins.
In any case, if your beta 2 globulin has been creeping up, this could be a sign that your M-spike is going up. Of course, the best way to check for that is to see what the M-spike number is on the same report! Has it going up as well?
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JimNY
Re: "Beta 2 Glob"?
That is an interesting question about Beta 2 Glob. The glob must be short for Globulin.
On my lab results I routinely get Beta Globulin 2 (normal range 2.0 -5.0...in the US would be 0.2 - 0.5) as well as Beta Globulin (normal range 3.0 - 6.0..your values 0.3 - 0.6). The Beta Globulin is included in a group with Alpha-1 Globulin, alpha-2 globulin, and Gamma Globulin. Beneath that is the 'SPE interpretation', so I think that those are part of the SPEP.
The Beta Globulin 2 is listed with the Albumin test, which is a measure of protein.
So maybe it is the Beta Globulin that is a more important test for myeloma? Not sure! It is confusing to have 2 tests with such similar names.
On my lab results I routinely get Beta Globulin 2 (normal range 2.0 -5.0...in the US would be 0.2 - 0.5) as well as Beta Globulin (normal range 3.0 - 6.0..your values 0.3 - 0.6). The Beta Globulin is included in a group with Alpha-1 Globulin, alpha-2 globulin, and Gamma Globulin. Beneath that is the 'SPE interpretation', so I think that those are part of the SPEP.
The Beta Globulin 2 is listed with the Albumin test, which is a measure of protein.
So maybe it is the Beta Globulin that is a more important test for myeloma? Not sure! It is confusing to have 2 tests with such similar names.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: "Beta 2 Glob"?
I have never had a M-spike. My FLC's have been elevating lately. I have a call in to my doctor so hopefully I will hear something tomorrow.
Thanks for the help so far. And yes it was the SPEP test.
Thanks for the help so far. And yes it was the SPEP test.
5 posts
• Page 1 of 1