Hi-
On May 12, 2016 I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Here are the results of my recent bloodwork. Are there any other blood test results that I should include?
I am finishing up testing and then will be starting in a clinical study at Dana Farber. I have not started any treatment. Just looking for thoughts on the changes in numbers in less than 1 month.
Thank you for your thoughts. My prayers are with all who have been diagnosed with this disease.
~~~Deb~~~
Test Apr 28 '16 May 18 '16 May 25 '16
Kappa FLC 126.9 68 78.4 mg/L
Lamda Free Light Chains 2.4 1.5 1.3 mg/L
Free Kappa Lamda Ratio 52.88 45.33 60.31
Total Protein in blood 11.0 10.9 12.4 g/DL
IgA 5872 5890 6160 mg/DL
IgG 322 283 287 mg/DL
IgM 31 <25 <25 mg/DL
B2 microglobulin 3.8 5.0 5.8 mg/L
Albumin 3.2 3.2 3.3 g/DL
Total Protein in Urine neg 11.0 11.7
From May 18 2016 Testing
Gamma M Spike 1 4.06 g/dl*
Gamma M Spike 2 0.49 g/dl*
Protein Electrophoresis:
Two M-spikes detected
Immunofixation:
Double gammopathy with IgA Kappa paraprotein. The findings are
consistent with monomeric and dimeric forms of IgA paraprotein,
and do not necessarily indicate biclonality.
Forums
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1
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deb51216 - Name: Deb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Change in lab results in last month - any thoughts?
Deb,
These look like the key markers to track your disease. But note that since you have IgA-type multiple myeloma, your quantified IgA and free light chains are going to be more reliable markers to track than your M-spike (Iga M-spike measurements aren't always the most reliable since other proteins in your blood can interfere with their measurement).
Since you will be in a study at Dana Farber, you might ask them if they will be monitoring your "HevyLlite" makers, which can be a more reliable way to track progress in an IgA patient.
It looks like you also may be suffering from "immunparesis", since your IgM level is suppressed. Hopefully this will improve with treatment. I think you can probably write off the changes in your free light chain numbers to normal fluctuations, but it's best to check with your doctor on this matter.
I also think it's also important to at least track your hemoglobin, calcium and creatinine so that you can be on top of any potential organ damage and/or monitor improvement in any organ damage you might have suffered already. Just because one's multiple myeloma markers improve or hold steady with treatment, it doesn't always mean that you are in the free and clear from experiencing any organ damage.
BTW, if you don't mind me asking, what trial will you be on? Did you ever sort out the cause of your foot pain?
These look like the key markers to track your disease. But note that since you have IgA-type multiple myeloma, your quantified IgA and free light chains are going to be more reliable markers to track than your M-spike (Iga M-spike measurements aren't always the most reliable since other proteins in your blood can interfere with their measurement).
Since you will be in a study at Dana Farber, you might ask them if they will be monitoring your "HevyLlite" makers, which can be a more reliable way to track progress in an IgA patient.
It looks like you also may be suffering from "immunparesis", since your IgM level is suppressed. Hopefully this will improve with treatment. I think you can probably write off the changes in your free light chain numbers to normal fluctuations, but it's best to check with your doctor on this matter.
I also think it's also important to at least track your hemoglobin, calcium and creatinine so that you can be on top of any potential organ damage and/or monitor improvement in any organ damage you might have suffered already. Just because one's multiple myeloma markers improve or hold steady with treatment, it doesn't always mean that you are in the free and clear from experiencing any organ damage.
BTW, if you don't mind me asking, what trial will you be on? Did you ever sort out the cause of your foot pain?
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Change in lab results in last month - any thoughts?
Multibilly-
Thank you so much for your response. You have so much information to share and I am grateful to be learning. This website is amazing. I had never heard of multiple myeloma until my diagnosis.
I will make sure to ask if Hevylite markers will be tracked.
I plan to create a spreadsheet to track my numbers more easily. I will add HgB, calcium, and creatinine.
I will be participating in the study at Dana Farber comparing treatment of RVD (Revlimid, Velcade, dexamethasone), collection of stem cells, then either more RVD and maintenance (Revlimid) OR collection of stem cells, stem cell transplant, RVD, and maintenance (Revlimid).
I''m not sure which arm I'm hoping to be placed in. I'm trying to read up on the advantages / disadvantages of stem cell transplant.
About my ankles - 2 doctors think it's myeloma related, one doesn't think it is, and one said once I start treatment, if the pain subsides, then it probably is! I had an MRI on my left, most painful ankle yesterday and am awaiting the results. My thoughts are the pain is related, this is the symptom that brought me to the doctor and what resulted in my diagnosis of multiple myeloma. I started on 500 mg of Naproxen 2x/daily about 10 days ago and the pain has greatly decreased.
~~Deb
Thank you so much for your response. You have so much information to share and I am grateful to be learning. This website is amazing. I had never heard of multiple myeloma until my diagnosis.
I will make sure to ask if Hevylite markers will be tracked.
I plan to create a spreadsheet to track my numbers more easily. I will add HgB, calcium, and creatinine.
I will be participating in the study at Dana Farber comparing treatment of RVD (Revlimid, Velcade, dexamethasone), collection of stem cells, then either more RVD and maintenance (Revlimid) OR collection of stem cells, stem cell transplant, RVD, and maintenance (Revlimid).
I''m not sure which arm I'm hoping to be placed in. I'm trying to read up on the advantages / disadvantages of stem cell transplant.
About my ankles - 2 doctors think it's myeloma related, one doesn't think it is, and one said once I start treatment, if the pain subsides, then it probably is! I had an MRI on my left, most painful ankle yesterday and am awaiting the results. My thoughts are the pain is related, this is the symptom that brought me to the doctor and what resulted in my diagnosis of multiple myeloma. I started on 500 mg of Naproxen 2x/daily about 10 days ago and the pain has greatly decreased.
~~Deb
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deb51216 - Name: Deb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 51
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1