These are all high:
B12 1579 (I was taking folic acid)
IgG 1570
Total kappa chains 1360
Total protein 8.5
Gamma globulin 1.70
Beta globulin 1.11
Can anyone tell me if this means multiple myeloma? My doctor hasn't returned my calls and I don't know when I can get in with him. I'd just like to know so I can plan or put it to bed.
Thank you, in advance, for any and all help!
Kristen
Forums
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Kris - Name: Kristen
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 10/5/15
- Age at diagnosis: 39
Re: Do these blood test results mean I have multiple myeloma
Hi Kristen,
Welcome to the forum.
What led your doctor to run these tests in the first place?
Could you kindly include the units of measure (mg/dL, etc) and the reference ranges when you post your numbers (they are all different from lab to lab)? Please also include your lambda number. Also, your hemogloblin, calcium and creatinine numbers from your CBC and metabolic tests would be useful.
Also, did they run a serum immunofixation (IFE) test? What did it say? On the serum protein electrophoresis test (this is the test that has your total protein and gamma globulin numbers), was there mention of an "abnormal band", "paraprotein", "M-protein" or something like that (it might also show up in a separate notation on that same test) ?
Welcome to the forum.
What led your doctor to run these tests in the first place?
Could you kindly include the units of measure (mg/dL, etc) and the reference ranges when you post your numbers (they are all different from lab to lab)? Please also include your lambda number. Also, your hemogloblin, calcium and creatinine numbers from your CBC and metabolic tests would be useful.
Also, did they run a serum immunofixation (IFE) test? What did it say? On the serum protein electrophoresis test (this is the test that has your total protein and gamma globulin numbers), was there mention of an "abnormal band", "paraprotein", "M-protein" or something like that (it might also show up in a separate notation on that same test) ?
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Do these blood test results mean I have multiple myeloma
Hello Kris.
No one could determine a myeloma diagnosis based on the information you provided. Myeloma is a rare cancer with no early symptoms and often misdiagnosed even after symptoms begin to surface.
Two years ago during my annual physical, my doctor noticed my total protein level was a bit high at 8.2, and he suggested we do another blood test in two months. I was not concerned at the time since I had no health issues, and all other blood parameters were normal. The follow up blood test revealed a blood protein level of 8.4 and my doctor ordered a SPEP. More blood work, bone surveys, 24 hour urine, and a bone marrow biopsy followed over the next two month, confirming a myeloma diagnosis.
An elevated total blood protein can have many origins and by itself does not confirm a myeloma diagnosis, however I would suggest you follow up and discuss your test results with your doctor.
No one could determine a myeloma diagnosis based on the information you provided. Myeloma is a rare cancer with no early symptoms and often misdiagnosed even after symptoms begin to surface.
Two years ago during my annual physical, my doctor noticed my total protein level was a bit high at 8.2, and he suggested we do another blood test in two months. I was not concerned at the time since I had no health issues, and all other blood parameters were normal. The follow up blood test revealed a blood protein level of 8.4 and my doctor ordered a SPEP. More blood work, bone surveys, 24 hour urine, and a bone marrow biopsy followed over the next two month, confirming a myeloma diagnosis.
An elevated total blood protein can have many origins and by itself does not confirm a myeloma diagnosis, however I would suggest you follow up and discuss your test results with your doctor.
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Dano - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 65
Re: Do these blood test results mean I have multiple myeloma
Dano and others:
A serum protein level of 8.2 or 8.4 is high and can signify many things other than myeloma, but just how difficult and/or unreasonable or costly is it for a doctor to immediately order a SPEP or IFE to rule out the cancer!? Why is it necessary to wait two months? Is it that it just doesn't make any difference whether the myeloma is diagnosed sooner than later?
A serum protein level of 8.2 or 8.4 is high and can signify many things other than myeloma, but just how difficult and/or unreasonable or costly is it for a doctor to immediately order a SPEP or IFE to rule out the cancer!? Why is it necessary to wait two months? Is it that it just doesn't make any difference whether the myeloma is diagnosed sooner than later?
Re: Do these blood test results mean I have multiple myeloma
Dano, I think I owe your doctor an apology for so hastily thinking ill of him. I just looked at my own SPEP test results and realize that the normal range for serum protein is 6.0 to 8.2 (at least this is my lab's range). So, if your initial reading was 8.2, I can understand that your physician, while expressing concern, would not necessarily order follow up tests immediately, but wish to wait for a second reading. I should not have rushed to judgment.
I have read quite a few stories here in the forum about people who spent months and months suffering severe pain and sometimes going from doctor to doctor before getting a proper diagnosis. I've thought for a long time that it is inexcusable for a doctor not to order simple blood tests to rule out myeloma, especially when the complaining patient is relatively advanced in age.
I have read quite a few stories here in the forum about people who spent months and months suffering severe pain and sometimes going from doctor to doctor before getting a proper diagnosis. I've thought for a long time that it is inexcusable for a doctor not to order simple blood tests to rule out myeloma, especially when the complaining patient is relatively advanced in age.
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