[jennbear1]

Elevated kappa-lambda ratio, but no monoclonal protein

by jennbear1 on Tue Jul 26, 2016 11:42 am

Hi,

My free light chain test results are as follows:

Kappa FLC: 15.1
Lambda FLC: 8.8

This results in a ratio of kappa-lambda ratio of 1.72.

My tests came back, however, as no monoclonal proteins found.

My rheumatologist who had me tested does not seem concerned. My question is, if I have an elevated ratio, but no monoclonal proteins, do I have multiple myeloma, or am I just someone with an elevated ratio?

Many thanks!

-Jenn

[Multibilly]

Re: Elevated kappa-lambda ratio, but no monoclonal protein

by Multibilly on Tue Jul 26, 2016 1:39 pm

Your ratio is just a hair out of range. and your kappa and lambda numbers are in the normal ranges.

I'm not a doc, but given that your serum immunofixation test didn't detect any monoclonal proteins, I wouldn't worry about it..

[lrankin]

Re: Elevated kappa-lambda ratio, but no monoclonal protein

by lrankin on Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:05 pm

May I ask if you have IgA kappa multiple myeloma? I think the M-spike may be harder to detect with this type of myeloma. I could be wrong.

[Multibilly]

Re: Elevated kappa-lambda ratio, but no monoclonal protein

by Multibilly on Wed Jul 27, 2016 7:58 am

Irankin,

It isn't any more difficult to detect IgA multiple myeloma via an immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) test than other isotypes of multiple myeloma (IgG, IgM, etc). The issue is that it's more difficult to accurately measure an IgA M-spike via an serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP). IgA M-spikes tend to be overstated because other proteins hang out in the same area of the SPEP graph that the IgA spike occupies.

[lrankin]

Re: Elevated kappa-lambda ratio, but no monoclonal protein

by lrankin on Wed Jul 27, 2016 11:14 am

Thank you, Multibilly. I never want to state erroneous info, especially if it could cause unnecessary worry. I will copy your response so I know which test does what.