[Lola1973]

Doctor requested an SPEP - do I have myeloma?

by Lola1973 on Wed Oct 16, 2013 2:07 pm

I am so happy to have found this site. I had a scary experience today and was hoping to get some answers.

I have autoimmune thyroid disease and when to see a rheumatologist today because I have had splinter hemmorhages in my nails. He is running a ton of tests and one of which is the immunofixation elect test. Everything I have read about this test says it is to look for multiple myeloma.

I have pain in my ribs around to my back sometimes, maybe two days a month. I had a chest X-ray and bloodwork done at the hospital a month ago because I went to the ER thinking it was a heart attack.

I do have fatigue everyday and constant sinus infections and issues. I am now terrified that he is looking for this and did not say much to me. Wouldn't something have popped up in my bloodwork at the hospital a month ago?

[Dr. Edward Libby]

Re: Doctor requested an SPEP - do I have myeloma?

by Dr. Edward Libby on Wed Oct 16, 2013 11:05 pm

Hello Lola,

The serum protein electophoresis (SPEP) is a special test that is rarely ordered in an Emergency department. I would wait to see what the results are. The results should be available within a week usually.

Best of luck with this. Myeloma is a fairly uncommon disease so the chances are the test will be negative.