My husband has had a high IgM level for the last two years (between 399 and 415). The only other abnormal lab is a higher than normal kappa lambda ratio (1.99). His individual kappa and lambda values have always been in the normal range. (He also had a high ANA.)
We are unable to understand what is going on, if anything. He has no physical symptoms of any significance .
Any thoughts?
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Re: High IgM & slightly high kappa-lambda FLC ratio: meaning
Has your husband been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, smoldering multiple myeloma, or MGUS in the past and, if so, has he been treated for myeloma in the past?
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JimNY
Re: High IgM & slightly high kappa-lambda FLC ratio: meaning
My husband has been followed for two years because of a high IgM. We weren't too concerned until now, when the FLC ratio became elevated. Unable to get much information, and remains a frustrating situation.
And he has not been diagnosed with anything.
And he has not been diagnosed with anything.
Re: High IgM & slightly high kappa-lambda FLC ratio: meaning
Hello Charlie:
There is a test called the SPEP. That is serum protein electrophoresis. Your husband should get the test. The normal reading is zero (its called the M-Spike). If its non-zero, since he is showing no symptoms, it's very likely not active myeloma, but probably MGUS. As we get older, many people are walking around with MGUS, and do not know. In many cases, it might take well over 20 years until it reaches multiple myeloma. So a positive M-Spike is not something one needs to panic over, particularly if it's well below 1. If there is zero M-Spike, you probably should look at some of the other causes for the immunoglobulins being out of range.
Good luck, JPC
There is a test called the SPEP. That is serum protein electrophoresis. Your husband should get the test. The normal reading is zero (its called the M-Spike). If its non-zero, since he is showing no symptoms, it's very likely not active myeloma, but probably MGUS. As we get older, many people are walking around with MGUS, and do not know. In many cases, it might take well over 20 years until it reaches multiple myeloma. So a positive M-Spike is not something one needs to panic over, particularly if it's well below 1. If there is zero M-Spike, you probably should look at some of the other causes for the immunoglobulins being out of range.
Good luck, JPC
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JPC - Name: JPC
Re: High IgM & slightly high kappa-lambda FLC ratio: meaning
Hi Charlie1,
Sorry to hear about your husband's abnormal labs, but glad that there are no symptoms present.
Is your husband being seen by a hematologist / oncologist? As JPC mentioned, the hem/onc could perform the SPEP test (and others) to nail down what is happening. Another possibility with a high IgM value is something called Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia. (Try saying that fast 10 times!)
Best wishes to you and your husband.
Mike
Sorry to hear about your husband's abnormal labs, but glad that there are no symptoms present.
Is your husband being seen by a hematologist / oncologist? As JPC mentioned, the hem/onc could perform the SPEP test (and others) to nail down what is happening. Another possibility with a high IgM value is something called Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia. (Try saying that fast 10 times!)
Best wishes to you and your husband.
Mike
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: High IgM & slightly high kappa-lambda FLC ratio: meaning
Charlie1- Anything? I am in a very similar situation!
Lindz
Lindz
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