[Live4Health]

Can PCP order sFLC Assay?

by Live4Health on Thu Nov 24, 2011 12:45 am

Hi everyone,

I want to follow through with the suggestion that Dr Peter V. gave me regarding the sFLC test and MRI. Can someone tell me if the sFLC is a test that a PCP can order, or does it have to be ordered by the hema/onco doc? I'll see my PCP in about three weeks, and he'll order the next SPEP and IFE. It would be great to get all three done at the same time, and not have to have an additional blood draw.

Thanks a lot,

Brenda

[suzierose]

Re: Can PCP order sFLC Assay?

by suzierose on Thu Nov 24, 2011 1:27 am

Hi Live4Health,

ALL Physicians can order any test done on serum that they choose. It is simply a matter of checking/selecting a box for the tests they want run on your serum once the blood has been drawn.

Some HMO's don't like MD's running a lot of expensive tests and so they demand a reason for the MD doing so. sFLC assay tends to be an expensive test.

However, the physician has the discretion to run any test he/she believes essential for diagnosis, no matter what their specialty is.

You may need multiple vials of blood, but typically only one draw/stick.

[Dr. Ken Shain]

Re: Can PCP order sFLC Assay?

by Dr. Ken Shain on Fri Nov 25, 2011 8:29 pm

Any physician can order the labs tests associated with myeloma. However, they do not have the expertise/training to make clinical desicions based on the results. Most PCPs recognize anemia (decreased Hgb or Hct), elevated total protein (or globulin/total protein ratios), increased Calcium, progressive increases in Creatinine, or bone diseease in the right clinical setting. They may order an SPEP or UPEP as well to confirm. Then they refer patients to specialist in hematology and oncology. In rare diseases like myeloma, I always recommend that one try and see a center of excellence for myeloma.

[Live4Health]

Re: Can PCP order sFLC Assay?

by Live4Health on Fri Dec 02, 2011 2:36 am

Thank you suzierose and Dr. Shain, your replies were helpful.

My PCP is ordering the three month follow-up SPEP that the hematologist/oncologist reccomended. I'm going to try to have the courage to additionally ask for the sFLC and MRI. He will then discuss the results with the hema/onco doc at the cancer center. I know that the cancer center at the teaching hosital is on the NCI list, but I do not know whether it is a center of excellence for myeloma. I think the closest one to me would be in Los Angeles, but that is quite some distance from me.

I found a pamphlet on the sFLC assay on the IMF site, and I'm going to take it with me. I don't want my doc to think that I'm just asking for unnecessary tests.