[Restlessrebel]

Worried about latest free light chain test results

by Restlessrebel on Sat Sep 13, 2014 11:39 pm

Hi, I have been diagnosed with MGUS and every 3 months go and do labs to be followed for myeloma and possibly amyloidosis. My latest blood work has me very worried about my prognosis.

Lambda free light chains 1310 (normal range is 0.26 -1.65)
Kappa/lambda free light chain ratio 0.01 (normal range is 0.26 - 1.65)
Alpha 1 is 0.35 (normal range 0.18-0.34)
Alpha 2 is 0.91 (normal range is 0.43-0.87)
Beta is 1.08 (normal range is 0.54 to 1.02)

If anyone has had similar findings, please let me know.

Thank you so much.

[Dr. James Hoffman]

Re: Worried about latest free light chain test results

by Dr. James Hoffman on Mon Sep 15, 2014 9:55 am

Not every MGUS is the same. Your MGUS clearly is associated with abnormal free lambda light chains. This is relevant as it relates to risk of progression to disease that requires treat­ment, but is not the only variable. The percentage of plasma cells in your bone marrow, the type of abnormal protein (IgA, IgM or IgG), the height of your M-spike, the FISH / cyto­genetics from your bone marrow biopsy -- all these are important in terms of defining risk.

The good news is that most people with MGUS never advance to a life-impacting disease. That said, as above, not every MGUS is the same. If you have some additional information, I can try to advise further, as can others from this very informed Myeloma Beacon community.

Importantly, patients with MGUS with light chain component need to be monitored for the de­vel­op­ment of myeloma or amyloidosis, preferably by a doctor with some experience in these con­di­tions.

Hope this helps. Please post back if more is needed.