Can someone please help me decipher my lab test results?
The blood work was done by my PCP. Now I'm waiting two very long weeks to see a hematologist. Symptoms: fatigue, lower back pain, hip pain
Serum Protein Electrophoresis
Gamma Globulin 6.1 (high)
M-Spike 5.6 (high)
Total Globulin 8.1 (high)
Total Protein 11.6
M-Spike 48.1% 5.6 g/dl
Also very low RBC, hematocrit, and hemoglobin. Had high fever.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! These are the longest two weeks of my life, waiting to see hematologist.
Thank you!
Forums
10 posts
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Re: Have SPEP results, waiting on hematologist
Hello scmy2362ah,
Your M-spike is rather high. It is probably worth finding out if you can see a doctor sooner than two weeks from now.
To figure out how urgent things are, it would be useful to know what your hemoglobin level is, and also what your serum creatinine and calcium levels are.
By any chance, did your doctor also order testing of immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgG, and IgM)? Also, what about a serum free light chain test? It would list "kappa", "lambda", and "kappa / lambda ratio" results.
For most people who have diseases related to multiple myeloma, including multiple myeloma itself, the "M-spike" is the primary lab result used to track the disease. Someone who is healthy does not have any M-spike.
At the same time, you can have an M-spike and still not require treatment. There are conditions such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma where people have M-spikes, but they are not treated.
If you let us know any additional lab results you have – particularly the ones I asked about above – we can give you more guidance on how important it is for you to see a doctor very soon. Also, we may be able to point you in the direction of center that has myeloma specialists if you give us a general idea where you live.
Your M-spike is rather high. It is probably worth finding out if you can see a doctor sooner than two weeks from now.
To figure out how urgent things are, it would be useful to know what your hemoglobin level is, and also what your serum creatinine and calcium levels are.
By any chance, did your doctor also order testing of immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgG, and IgM)? Also, what about a serum free light chain test? It would list "kappa", "lambda", and "kappa / lambda ratio" results.
For most people who have diseases related to multiple myeloma, including multiple myeloma itself, the "M-spike" is the primary lab result used to track the disease. Someone who is healthy does not have any M-spike.
At the same time, you can have an M-spike and still not require treatment. There are conditions such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma where people have M-spikes, but they are not treated.
If you let us know any additional lab results you have – particularly the ones I asked about above – we can give you more guidance on how important it is for you to see a doctor very soon. Also, we may be able to point you in the direction of center that has myeloma specialists if you give us a general idea where you live.
Re: Have SPEP results, waiting on hematologist
Hemoglobin is 8.4
Serum creatinine 0.83
Calcium 8.4
No immunoglobulin levels or any of the other tests that you listed.
I am not thrilled with the hematologist that my PCP referred me to, I called to get an early appointment. The receptionist told me that they were too busy to take my call. I left my phone number, no one ever called me back.
I tried to make an a appointment with another hematologist, but they would not make the appointment. They said that the call had to come from my doctor.
Is there any where to "check out" hematologists in my area? South Carolina?
Thank you!
Serum creatinine 0.83
Calcium 8.4
No immunoglobulin levels or any of the other tests that you listed.
I am not thrilled with the hematologist that my PCP referred me to, I called to get an early appointment. The receptionist told me that they were too busy to take my call. I left my phone number, no one ever called me back.
I tried to make an a appointment with another hematologist, but they would not make the appointment. They said that the call had to come from my doctor.
Is there any where to "check out" hematologists in my area? South Carolina?
Thank you!
Re: Have SPEP results, waiting on hematologist
Hi scmy2362ah,
Your hemoglobin is quite low. This is almost certainly why you are feeling fatigued.
Did you have any x-rays or other types of imaging done on your back or hips? If so, have the results been reviewed yet by a radiologist?
Your creatinine and calcium levels are still within the normal range, which is good. This means that whatever you have is not doing any damage to your kidneys, and it apparently is not doing too much damage to your bones, either.
I am not aware of any myeloma treatment center in South Carolina. Two options in neighboring states that you might consider would be the Levin Cancer Center in Charlotte, and Winship Cancer Center at Emory in Atlanta. I believe that one of the myeloma specialists who posts here in the forum, Dr. Peter Voorhees, is now at the Levin Cancer Center.
Would it take you long to drive to either of those centers? Would your insurance cover an appointment at either of them?
Your hemoglobin is quite low. This is almost certainly why you are feeling fatigued.
Did you have any x-rays or other types of imaging done on your back or hips? If so, have the results been reviewed yet by a radiologist?
Your creatinine and calcium levels are still within the normal range, which is good. This means that whatever you have is not doing any damage to your kidneys, and it apparently is not doing too much damage to your bones, either.
I am not aware of any myeloma treatment center in South Carolina. Two options in neighboring states that you might consider would be the Levin Cancer Center in Charlotte, and Winship Cancer Center at Emory in Atlanta. I believe that one of the myeloma specialists who posts here in the forum, Dr. Peter Voorhees, is now at the Levin Cancer Center.
Would it take you long to drive to either of those centers? Would your insurance cover an appointment at either of them?
Re: Have SPEP results, waiting on hematologist
Charlotte is about 1.5 hour drive, I think Atlanta is 2 hours. My insurance would cover.
Re: Have SPEP results, waiting on hematologist
I agree with TerryH's assessment of the situation.
If you are interested, it would be possible for you to see either myself or my colleague Dr. Usmani at Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte. You can call my office at 980-442-5219. If I am not there, leave a voicemail where I can reach you. The general number for appointments is 980-442-2000, but it might be best to go through me or our nurse navigator, Patty.
If you are interested, it would be possible for you to see either myself or my colleague Dr. Usmani at Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte. You can call my office at 980-442-5219. If I am not there, leave a voicemail where I can reach you. The general number for appointments is 980-442-2000, but it might be best to go through me or our nurse navigator, Patty.
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Dr. Peter Voorhees - Name: Peter Voorhees, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Have SPEP results, waiting on hematologist
Yes, you need to see a myeloma expert, like Dr. Voorhees. You will get tests, a treatment plan, and initial treatment. At some later point you could decide to move your treatment to your local oncologist.
Please let us know how things go for you. There are so many new treatments that you will have many good options.
David
Please let us know how things go for you. There are so many new treatments that you will have many good options.
David
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Arizonan - Name: Arizonan
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Have SPEP results, waiting on hematologist
I have an appointment on Tuesday with a hematologist, I am so extremely nervous. If I am not comfortable with this hematologist, or need a second opinion, I will contact Dr. Voorhees. The only thing that I worry about is the 3 hour drive to and from Charlotte.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Re: Have SPEP results, waiting on hematologist
You can usually arrange things with a remote multiple myeloma specialist whereby you initially see the remote specialist and then have your local hematologist consult with that remote specialist. Many on this forum (including myself) have this sort of an arrangement. So, you may only need to go to Charlotte when something dramatically changes with your condition.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
10 posts
• Page 1 of 1