Hello everyone,
New here and happy to find this forum.
I'm a 31 year old male. Long story short, about 3 weeks ago my doc ran some regular test results (which were done for the first time in my life). After my liver test results came out, he said all was normal and that's that. But the anxious person I am, I insisted on getting the results from him and it all showed normal besides my globulin, which was 36 (reference high was 35), in which I googled and found it could be raised due to multiple myeloma.
Anyway, after about 5 days just being super anxious (that's just the person I am), I started developing frequent urination, which I thought could be UTI, but ran results and all was fine.
Then the next evening I started developing back pain (upper back, near the spine), which is mild but constantly there and worse when I'm bending down. Anyway, the next couple of days the pain also went to my left elbow, left hip, and left shin and it comes and goes. Is this a normal symptom of myeloma, like pain moving so quickly to other body parts so quick?
Also, just to note, I went to the chiro two days before the pain started, and I revisited him today and he said it's muscle spasm that is compressing the spine and there is nothing wrong with me. So me being worried, I insisted with the doctors run all blood tests necessary (I read on google which all tests required to confirm myeloma).
Also would like to note after a couple of days my urination became so frequent that straight after urinating I would have the urge to urinate straight after that. All the time. That's why I repeated my calcium just in case.
Anyway, I ran two sets of blood. The first one below is a two weeks ago and the other one was done couple of days ago.
Serum Immunoglobulins
S-IgA (g/L) 3.89 g/L H 0.41 - 3.49
S-IgG (g/l) 13.6 g/L 6.5 - 16.0
S-IgM (g/L) 2.0 g/L 0.50 - 3.00
Liver Function Tests
S-Bilirubin,Total 11 umol/L 3 - 26
S-Bilirubin conjugated 3 umol/L 1 - 7
S-Alkaline Phosphatas 102 IU/L 53 - 128
S-g-Glutamyl Transferase 29 IU/L 0 - 64
S-ALT (GPT) 21 IU/L < 40
S-AST (GOT) 20 IU/L 15 - 40
S-TOTAL PROTEIN 75 g/L 60 - 80
S-ALBUMIN (BCP) 41 g/L 35 - 50
Bence Jones Protein, Urine (not a 24-hour urine test)
U-Protein 0.09 g/l
U-Blood not detected
U-IFE electrophoresis . **
There is a glomerular pattern of proteinuria. No monoclonal bands detected.
Bence Jones protein negative.
Serum Proteins
S-Albumin (calculated) 42 g/L 35 - 50
Please Note: Albumin value on electrophoresis may differ marginally from
the result obtained from the Liver Function. This is due to a difference in
methodology.
S-Alpha 1 Globulin 3 g/L 2 - 6
S-Alpha 2 Globulin 7 g/L 3 - 10
S-Beta 1 Globulin 5 g/L 3 - 6
S-Beta 2 Globulin 5 g/L 2 - 6
S-Gamma Globulin 13 g/L 6 - 15
S-'M' Component 0 g/l 0 - 0
Comment: Serum protein electrophoresis normal.
MicrobioIogy:
Source Urine Description Not Stated
Procedure Result
Macroscopy
Colour Straw
Clarity Clear
Chemistry
Protein Not detected
Glucose Not detected
Ketones Not detected
Blood/Haemoglobin Not detected
Leucocyte esterase Not detected
Nitrite Negative
pH (4.8-7.4) 6.0
S.G. (1.016-1.022) 1.005
Microscopy
Leucocytes (<5/uL) <5 /uL
Erythrocytes (<5/uL) <5 /uL
Casts Not observed
Viable count
No growth
Squamous epithelium Not observed
Bacteria Not observed Graded/HPF
Yeasts and Hyphae Not observed
Crystals Not observed
Source Urine Description Not Stated
Procedure Result
> Routine culture (urine)
No growth
> Antimicrobial substances
Not detected
Comment
Mineral And Bone Metabolism
S-Calcium Total 2.48 mmol/L 2.10 - 2.55
S-Calcium Adjusted 2.48 mmol/L 2.10 - 2.55
Comment: Normocalcaemia.
AUGUST 11, 2015
Mineral And Bone Metabolism
S-Calcium Total 2.41 mmol/L 2.10 - 2.55
S-Calcium Adjusted 2.41 mmol/L 2.10 - 2.55
CRP (C-Reactive Protein) < 1.0 mg/L 0.0 - 8.0
Serum Proteins
S-Total Protein 75 g/L 60 - 80
S-Albumin 40 g/L 35 - 50
S-Albumin (Calculated) 43 g/L 35 - 50
Please Note: Albumin value on electrophoresis may differ marginally from
the result obtained from the Liver Function. This is due to a difference in
methodology.
S-Alpha 1 Globulin 3 g/L 2 - 6
S-Alpha 2 Globulin 7 g/L 3 - 10
S-Beta 1 Globulin 5 g/L 3 - 6
S-Beta 2 Globulin 4 g/L 2 - 6
S-Gamma Globulin 13 g/L 6 - 15
S-'M' Component 0 g/l 0 - 0
Comment: Serum protein electrophoresis normal.
Free Light Chains, Serum
S-Kappa Free Light Chains 18.60 mg/L 3.30 - 19.40
S-Lambda Free Light Chains 15.90 mg/L 5.71 - 26.30
Kappa/Lambda Ratio 1.17 0.26 - 1.65
According to my physician / urologist, all is normal. Slight protein in the urine could be because of the very high protein diet I have. Also, I started gymming recently again after a month's break, so I don't know; my bone pain could be related to that or not.
Also, should I be worried that my IgA is high (my physician said that my IgA is very mildly elevated and it could be seasonal cause of sinusitis or inflammation in the gut. do suffer with IBS but do not have celiac disease.
My kappa is just under above high average. I know they say the ratio is what matters, but what I would like to know is could it be on the high side because of my IgA being high? Are these two related in some way?
Also, could it be possible that there is no M-spike yet, but it could come like maybe my IgA might be going higher and higher, I'm not exactly sure how the M-spike works?
Also, my urologist has put me on Vesicare (solifenacin) for frequent urination, which has helped a lot so far. I'm also on azor for anxiety.
By the way, my ESR was normal and all blood counts was normal. Also my creatinine and urea, which was done 3 weeks ago before symptoms started, were very normal too.
Sorry guys for the long, long write up. Would love to hear from you guys what you think. My physician and urologist think I have gone mad.
Forums
Re: Could it be multiple myeloma?
First of all, I am not a doctor. But, it looks like things are normal. Maybe having all of the tests repeated in 6 months would make sense. I am a retired physical therapist who worked with people with pelvic floor dysfunctions - frequent urination, incontinence, pelvic pain, etc. With a diagnosis of very frequent urination, but no noted infection, and a diagnosis of anxiety for which you take medication, I would bet that you are having pelvic floor problems that could be related to your low back pain issues. Ask your urologist for a prescription for pelvic floor PT. If you are able to get help with PT, you may be able to stop taking the Vesicare.
If you get the PT prescription, contact the American Physical Therapy Association, APTA.org, for a list of certified pelvic floor therapists in your area. Don't be surprised if they are mostly in women's health clinics or programs. Call anyway and find out if they treat men.
Just as an FYI, I encouraged the practice where I was working to change the name from Women's Pelvic Floor Health to the Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Program because we treated so many men. And, they were kind of hesitant to come see us in the Women's Pelvic Floor program. It would be like sending a man to an obstetrician / gynecologist, even if that was the person who had the most expertise in your particular problem.
Good luck and hopefully all of your tests will come back normal again in the future,
Nancy in Phila
If you get the PT prescription, contact the American Physical Therapy Association, APTA.org, for a list of certified pelvic floor therapists in your area. Don't be surprised if they are mostly in women's health clinics or programs. Call anyway and find out if they treat men.
Just as an FYI, I encouraged the practice where I was working to change the name from Women's Pelvic Floor Health to the Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Program because we treated so many men. And, they were kind of hesitant to come see us in the Women's Pelvic Floor program. It would be like sending a man to an obstetrician / gynecologist, even if that was the person who had the most expertise in your particular problem.
Good luck and hopefully all of your tests will come back normal again in the future,
Nancy in Phila
-
NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Could it be multiple myeloma?
Thank you very much for your prompt reply. I will definitely look into that with my urologist. I was just concerned about the IgA being a bit high and the slight protein in my urine, which of course could be due to high protein diet.
Also, what I was told by my physician in myeloma if there are symptoms present, then blood results would be completely out of range. He said usually myeloma is detected in blood results before symptoms occur.
I suppose I just have to move on cause I'm just a very anxious person constantly worrying about this non stop.
Regards
Also, what I was told by my physician in myeloma if there are symptoms present, then blood results would be completely out of range. He said usually myeloma is detected in blood results before symptoms occur.
I suppose I just have to move on cause I'm just a very anxious person constantly worrying about this non stop.
Regards
Re: Could it be multiple myeloma?
Myeloma in 31 year olds is not unheard of, but very rare, and take into consideration that myeloma and its versions are a rare type of cancer.
When I was in college, we were warned by our psych professor that we, as students, would be questioning our mental health during study and give excessive weight to what we believed to be our own symptoms. An example, one is not schizophrenic because one thinks his neighbour is creepy. The neighbour very well just might give off that creepy vibe.
Put down the self-diagnosis books and websites; they can be dangerous sometimes.
When I was in college, we were warned by our psych professor that we, as students, would be questioning our mental health during study and give excessive weight to what we believed to be our own symptoms. An example, one is not schizophrenic because one thinks his neighbour is creepy. The neighbour very well just might give off that creepy vibe.
Put down the self-diagnosis books and websites; they can be dangerous sometimes.
-
Little Monkey - Name: Little Monkey
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Father-stage 1 multiple myeloma
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March/April of 2015
Re: Could it be multiple myeloma?
Thanks, Little Monkey, for the reply and feedback. Everybody keeps telling me that, and I should definitely apply it.
I was just worried about the IgA being high and the kappa levels being on the higher average side, could these two be related somehow? I just wanted understanding of that and how does the M-spike work. Could it be possible that my IgA is creeping up slowly slowly and that would lead to M-spike?
Thank you again so so much!!
I was just worried about the IgA being high and the kappa levels being on the higher average side, could these two be related somehow? I just wanted understanding of that and how does the M-spike work. Could it be possible that my IgA is creeping up slowly slowly and that would lead to M-spike?
Thank you again so so much!!
Re: Could it be multiple myeloma?
You have no sign of a monoclonal protein based on two separate serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) tests and a urine immunofixation test, and you do not have an abnormal free light chain ratio. All three of those results speak against anything you have being due to a monoclonal disorder such as multiple myeloma.
You also have a serum calcium level that is within the normal range. Myeloma tends to elevate calcium levels in some cases because the disease eats away at the bone.
I'm not seeing creatinine levels (which would reflect your kidney health), or hemoglobin levels (which would signal problems producing normal blood cells), in your test results, but I'm guessing they're probably fine.
If you want to do an extra test to further rule out myeloma or a related disorder, you could have a serum immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) test done. It will test to see if you have any monoclonal protein in your blood. It won't tell you how much; that's what the SPEP would do. But it is a relatively sensitive test for picking up whether a monoclonal protein is present.
If it comes back negative, you can be fairly certain – particularly given your age – that something myeloma-related is not the cause of any health problems you've been experiencing.
You also have a serum calcium level that is within the normal range. Myeloma tends to elevate calcium levels in some cases because the disease eats away at the bone.
I'm not seeing creatinine levels (which would reflect your kidney health), or hemoglobin levels (which would signal problems producing normal blood cells), in your test results, but I'm guessing they're probably fine.
If you want to do an extra test to further rule out myeloma or a related disorder, you could have a serum immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) test done. It will test to see if you have any monoclonal protein in your blood. It won't tell you how much; that's what the SPEP would do. But it is a relatively sensitive test for picking up whether a monoclonal protein is present.
If it comes back negative, you can be fairly certain – particularly given your age – that something myeloma-related is not the cause of any health problems you've been experiencing.
-
Jonah
Re: Could it be multiple myeloma?
Just want to chime in and say "high" blood test result levels in myeloma are usually very obviously high. My borderline levels (such as slight anemia) my doctor is happy with, since they are close enough to normal.
-
lys2012 - Name: Alyssa
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2010, Toronto, Canada
- Age at diagnosis: 32
Re: Could it be multiple myeloma?
@jonah: Thank you very much. I did all three tests according to your recommendation and IFE was negative and my creatinine and hemoglobin were perfectly normal.
What concerns me now is that I have a burning pain in my hands (fingers). I really don't know what to make of this. I have read this could be because of a compressed spine.
Also, my pee is concentrated in the mornings and I have excess urination and I feel I'm always dehydrated, and also a cough hasn't gone away for 4 weeks now.
Just so many doubts I have in my head on my blood tests.
IgA raised
Glomeural pattern of protenuira in my BJ test
Also my first calcium test came slightly elevated, but the haematologist asked me to repeat it without the band on my arm, and then it was corrected.
I really don't know where to go from here. I can see all results are negative, but I just don't feel myself.
Should I repeat my test? Or where to go from here?
What concerns me now is that I have a burning pain in my hands (fingers). I really don't know what to make of this. I have read this could be because of a compressed spine.
Also, my pee is concentrated in the mornings and I have excess urination and I feel I'm always dehydrated, and also a cough hasn't gone away for 4 weeks now.
Just so many doubts I have in my head on my blood tests.
IgA raised
Glomeural pattern of protenuira in my BJ test
Also my first calcium test came slightly elevated, but the haematologist asked me to repeat it without the band on my arm, and then it was corrected.
I really don't know where to go from here. I can see all results are negative, but I just don't feel myself.
Should I repeat my test? Or where to go from here?
Re: Could it be multiple myeloma?
Hey guys did a 24 hour urine test. Can some one interpret these results for me? I see high creatinine in my urine. What does this mean? Linked to myeloma? I'll also post the serum creatinine I did.
Also I have noted my IgA went down for 3.89 to 3.61, which I'm assuming is good news?
RENAL
Urine Collection period 24 hours
> U-Volume 1860 mL
U-CREATININE 10.07 mmol/L
U-PROTEIN < 0.07 g/l
> 24H U-TOTAL PROTEIN g/24hr
> 24H U-CREATININE 18.7 mmol/24h H 7.1 - 17.7
24 hr urine protein undetectable. If clinically indicated,
suggest urine microalbumin/creatinine ratio measurement.
RENAL
> S-UREA 5.8 mmol/L 2.1 - 7.1
> S-CREATININE 82 umol/L 80 - 115
> eGFR (CKD-EPI-mL/min/1.73 > 89
> COMMENT:
Normal eGFR
Repeated calcium and it came back HIGH
MINERAL AND BONE METABOLISM
S-CALCIUM Total 2.58 mmol/L H 2.10 - 2.55
S-CALCIUM Adjusted 2.60 mmol/L H 2.10 - 2.55
Also went for spine and cpine MRI, which came out clear. Where to from here? Could these be early signs or perhaps unrelated?
Thanks again, guys.
Also I have noted my IgA went down for 3.89 to 3.61, which I'm assuming is good news?
RENAL
Urine Collection period 24 hours
> U-Volume 1860 mL
U-CREATININE 10.07 mmol/L
U-PROTEIN < 0.07 g/l
> 24H U-TOTAL PROTEIN g/24hr
> 24H U-CREATININE 18.7 mmol/24h H 7.1 - 17.7
24 hr urine protein undetectable. If clinically indicated,
suggest urine microalbumin/creatinine ratio measurement.
RENAL
> S-UREA 5.8 mmol/L 2.1 - 7.1
> S-CREATININE 82 umol/L 80 - 115
> eGFR (CKD-EPI-mL/min/1.73 > 89
> COMMENT:
Normal eGFR
Repeated calcium and it came back HIGH
MINERAL AND BONE METABOLISM
S-CALCIUM Total 2.58 mmol/L H 2.10 - 2.55
S-CALCIUM Adjusted 2.60 mmol/L H 2.10 - 2.55
Also went for spine and cpine MRI, which came out clear. Where to from here? Could these be early signs or perhaps unrelated?
Thanks again, guys.
Re: Could it be multiple myeloma?
So I decided to do a mri for tspine where the pain was and this is what the report read..
"There is a focal lesion demonstrated in the vertebral bodies of T2 and T7, which is T1 and T2 hyperintense and suppresses on the STIR imaging in keeping with a haemangioma. The disc spaces are maintained with no evidence of disc dehydration"
Is this another sign? Or is this unrelated?. My rheumatologist says that's not related? But I have read if you have more than one focal lession it's a criteria for myeloma. I know I don't have any mspike or immunofixation and my kappa/lambada ratio is fine. But could I be the non secreting one perhaps?
Going crazy here.
"There is a focal lesion demonstrated in the vertebral bodies of T2 and T7, which is T1 and T2 hyperintense and suppresses on the STIR imaging in keeping with a haemangioma. The disc spaces are maintained with no evidence of disc dehydration"
Is this another sign? Or is this unrelated?. My rheumatologist says that's not related? But I have read if you have more than one focal lession it's a criteria for myeloma. I know I don't have any mspike or immunofixation and my kappa/lambada ratio is fine. But could I be the non secreting one perhaps?
Going crazy here.
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