[gracefullily]

Free Light Chain Assay

by gracefullily on Sun Dec 29, 2013 3:04 pm

I'm trying to better understand the significance of the free light chain assay & it's specificity. Though I have proteinuria, the proteins in my urine were not abnormal proteins. I also do not have an M-spike in my serum work up. However I do have slightly elevated Kappa flc's & the Kappa Lambda ratio was barely above normal. One specialist referred to this slight elevation as normal. I would greatly appreciate further knowledge about this from a lay person's perspective. Thank you in advance.

PS...I'm also being evaluated for a mast cell disorder along with all of this. For 6 months I've had constant eye edema with significant water weight fluctuations between 5-10 lbs. Lastly, was the recent finding of both elevated Kappa flc & polyclonal flc.

[Multibilly]

Re: Free Light Chain Assay

by Multibilly on Sun Dec 29, 2013 3:31 pm

Hi Gracefullily,

What specifically are your free light chain numbers?

As with any lab measurement, note the are always some inherent inaccuracies in the test results.

Regarding your earlier post about mastocytosis and multiple myeloma ... I take it you already googled "mastocytosis multiple myeloma" and saw some of the results such as:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9619735

Best of luck to you.

[gracefullily]

Re: Free Light Chain Assay

by gracefullily on Sun Dec 29, 2013 4:46 pm

Thank you for your reply Multibilly! I'm waiting on my most recent flc numbers. Hoping to have them within the next week or so. I only know that Kappa FLC remained mildly elevated & that they found polyclonal FLC's this go around. I have read up about the Serum FLC Assay, which is partly the reason I remain concerned & uncertain about being told no worries & no followup necessary. Im unclear if a mild elevation is serious to warrant further investigation or not. It seems to me that it's stating, yes it is. Yet I've had 2 immunologists & a multiple myeloma hematologist say no. I was also told I'm too young to be having age related FLC's. All confusing.

Yes, I have seen there can be some possiblity of mast cell & multiple myeloma overlap, but it doesnt seem very prevelant or well known. I'm wondering if anyone in the forum has any experience or knowledge of this. Unfortunately, I tend to end up with rare, hard to Dx issues. I'm weary of the journey. Hoping to get to the bottom of the matter ASAP.

Best wishes!