Hello- My dad was recently diagnosed and I was a bit confused about the lab results. I know albumin and beta 2 are important numbers. Dad's "albumin spe" is listed as 4, which seems good, but he has a number for "albumin %," which is listed as 50 and the normal range is 55-75. Does anyone know what "albumin %" means on a lab test, and if I should just stick with paying attention to the albumin spe number?
Also, Dad's results listed these numbers:
beta 2 0.2 normal: 0.2 - 0.5
beta-1% 3.8 L normal: 4 - 9
2 2.5 normal: 2 - 5
Which of these is the beta 2 that is relevant for the International Staging System? I am guessing it's the last (2.5), as that's the only number that would make sense with the healthy results listed as being less than 3.5. But I don't get what the other numbers mean, or if they are hugely relevant,
Know this was a lot of info, but any help would be wonderful as we are all anxious awaiting prognosis.
Thanks,
Anna
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Re: Father's blood test results
Sorry for more, but if it helps here are the full test results:
electroph. serum prot
tot protein 8.0 norm = 6.2 - 8.4
albumin spe 4.0 3.5 - 5.0
alpha-1 spe 0.3 0.2 - 0.4
2 0.6 0.4 - 1.0
beta 1 0.3 0.3 - 0.6
beta 2 0.2 0.2 - 0.5
spe gamma 2.6 h 0.6 - 1.6
albumin% 50 l 55 - 75
alpha-1 % spe 3.6 3 - 6
2 7.4 5 - 13
beta-1% 3.8 L 4 - 9
2 2.5 2 - 5
ife gamma% 32.7 h 9-20
electroph. serum prot
tot protein 8.0 norm = 6.2 - 8.4
albumin spe 4.0 3.5 - 5.0
alpha-1 spe 0.3 0.2 - 0.4
2 0.6 0.4 - 1.0
beta 1 0.3 0.3 - 0.6
beta 2 0.2 0.2 - 0.5
spe gamma 2.6 h 0.6 - 1.6
albumin% 50 l 55 - 75
alpha-1 % spe 3.6 3 - 6
2 7.4 5 - 13
beta-1% 3.8 L 4 - 9
2 2.5 2 - 5
ife gamma% 32.7 h 9-20
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Anna F
Re: Father's blood test results
Hi Anna,
I think you are new to the forum, right? If so, welcome.
First off, I'm not a doc, so please verify this with yours.
The total protein figure in the SPEP is simply made up of all the different proteins listed in the SPEP (albumin, alpha-1), etc. Albumin is the most common type of protein found in your blood and this is simply saying that 50% of your dad's total protein is made up of albumin. The relative percentage of albumin is lower than normal because the gamma percentage is higher at 32.7% (probably due to the multiple myeloma). The absolute value for the albumin (the 4.0 g/dL number) is the value that is therefore likely more meaningful. But again, check on this with your doc.
BTW, you don't say what your dad was diagnosed with (MGUS, smoldering multiple myeloma, or symptomatic multiple myeloma). The primary markers that one tracks are the M-spike from your SPEP (aka, monoclonal protein, M-protein, paraprotein, etc), the free light chain values and the immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, etc). And secondarily, one looks at the calcium, creatinine and Hgb levels to see if there might be any CRAB issues going on. And of course, the degree of any bone damage found in the radiological imaging tests and the plasma cell percentage from the bone marrow biopsy test is important to know.
For prognostic purposes, the cytogenetics (genetic mutations) from the bone marrow biopsy tests are also important to know.
If you post any follow up results, please kindly also include the units of measure (g/dL, etc).
Hope this helps.
I think you are new to the forum, right? If so, welcome.
First off, I'm not a doc, so please verify this with yours.
The total protein figure in the SPEP is simply made up of all the different proteins listed in the SPEP (albumin, alpha-1), etc. Albumin is the most common type of protein found in your blood and this is simply saying that 50% of your dad's total protein is made up of albumin. The relative percentage of albumin is lower than normal because the gamma percentage is higher at 32.7% (probably due to the multiple myeloma). The absolute value for the albumin (the 4.0 g/dL number) is the value that is therefore likely more meaningful. But again, check on this with your doc.
BTW, you don't say what your dad was diagnosed with (MGUS, smoldering multiple myeloma, or symptomatic multiple myeloma). The primary markers that one tracks are the M-spike from your SPEP (aka, monoclonal protein, M-protein, paraprotein, etc), the free light chain values and the immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, etc). And secondarily, one looks at the calcium, creatinine and Hgb levels to see if there might be any CRAB issues going on. And of course, the degree of any bone damage found in the radiological imaging tests and the plasma cell percentage from the bone marrow biopsy test is important to know.
For prognostic purposes, the cytogenetics (genetic mutations) from the bone marrow biopsy tests are also important to know.
If you post any follow up results, please kindly also include the units of measure (g/dL, etc).
Hope this helps.
-
Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
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• Page 1 of 1