[SMMBadella]

freelite chain high Lambda

by SMMBadella on Sun Jan 29, 2012 3:06 pm

I am trying to understand my stats. I am a high risk smoldering myeloma patient. My paraprotein is Iga lambda 1.06. My serum Iga is 2150 mg kappa 545 mg and k/l ratio is .9 Albumin is at 4.94 beta2 @.17 gamma .47 free k 6.2 free lambda 101.8 free k/l ratio .06 this past test showed a very faint trace of iga lambda band in urine immunofixation. I had a B/M test is 2008 which showed 11% lambda. I see my doc every 6 weeks for test results and monitoring. I am wondering if I could get a simplified answer to the free lite chain testing. Mine seems so off the charts but for a pt. it is very hard to understand.

[Dr. Edward Libby]

Re: freelite chain high Lambda

by Dr. Edward Libby on Wed Feb 01, 2012 9:40 pm

Hello from sunny(today at least) Seattle,
I have to say that there are no simple answers to the interpretation of serum free light chain testing......if you are confused welcome to the club !
Keep in mind that doctors do not use the absolute value (how high or how low) the number is to make a treatment decision. What matters is whether or not you have anything that meets the CRAB criteria. You have already gone 3-4 years without progressing to frank myeloma which is a good sign. Some patients may never progress to symptomatic myeloma.
A free kappa of 6.2 and free lambda of 101.8 with a kappa/lambda ratio of .06 tells me you do have a plasma cell clone but not much else. What matters is whther or not the lambda is climbing rapidly and if you have CRAB: e.g. high Calcium,Renal problems, Anemia or Bony lesions.
Best of luck and keep seeing your doctors regularly.

[SMMBadella]

Re: freelite chain high Lambda

by SMMBadella on Mon Feb 06, 2012 7:22 pm

Thank you Dr. Libby. I discussed the freelight chain with my Doc today. I don't have any CRAB symptoms and my numbers are slightly lower this month. I Like that you said I may never progress. I have hope and pray that I will not. My Doc also says that but I tend to worry alot anyway having this beast in me.
Thank you for all you do for myeloma patients and their families!