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Questions and discussion to help forum members determine if they may have multiple myeloma, smoldering multiple myeloma, or MGUS.

Myeloma screen results - is it likely I have myeloma?

by luckyweezy on Tue Jun 17, 2014 12:54 pm

I hope this is the right place to post. I have been reading up on Myeloma over the past few days but am still quite confused so am hoping someone could help clear things up for me.

A brief history... For the last few years blood tests have come back showing an increasingly high CRP and GP has usually brushed it off as not being important. A few months ago it came back high again and as I had also been getting quite a lot of back pain she referred me to a rheumatologist.

The rheumatologist asked me questions, done a basic examination and ordered some blood and urine tests but said she did not think I had rheumatoid arthritis and would discharge me back to GP.

A few weeks later I received the rheumatologist's report through the post which stated again that rheumatoid arthritis was unlikely but back pain could be spondylitis. At the bottom it said Abnormal Bence Jones Protein levels and asked my GP to order immunofixation and refer to hematology as appropriate. it also mentioned something about a paraprotein.

I had never heard any of these words before so searched the internet and then was worried sick for the 10 days until my GP appointment. GP then repeated what the report had told me and asked me to provide a urine and blood sample for Myeloma Screen but said not to worry as it is very rare at my age (26) and said it was probably a false positive.

Today I returned for the results and she said that they do show a protein in my urine and antibodies in the blood and she is now referring me to hematology to get their opinion.

I am now not sure what to think and think I should have asked more questions.

From what I have written does this show anything is likely? or is there anything else I should ask given the opportunity? I like to know what I could be dealing with.

Thanks for reading :)
Last edited by luckyweezy on Wed Jun 18, 2014 1:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

luckyweezy

Re: GP ordered a myeloma screen - is it likely I have myelom

by Dr. Edward Libby on Tue Jun 17, 2014 5:35 pm

Hello,

I think the best thing is to wait for the results of your serum protein electophoresis and serum free light chains. A 24-hour urine for Bence Jones protein and protein should be done as well. These tests will show whether or not you have a monoclonal protein [paraprotein, "M-spike"] present. Without question, multiple myeloma is quite rare at the age of 26.

Dr. Edward Libby
Name: Edward Libby, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor

Re: GP ordered a myeloma screen - is it likely I have myelom

by luckyweezy on Wed Jun 18, 2014 12:36 pm

Thank you for replying. I was today given a copy of some test results. Do these show anything inparticular?

Serum globulin = 37 g/L
Serum total protein = 76 g/L
Serum albumin = 39 g/L
IgM = 2.4 g/L
IgA = 1.81 g/L
IgG = 13.9 g/L

24 hour Bence-Jones screening test = Possible abnormal band - Immunofixation to follow

luckyweezy

Re: Myeloma screen results - is it likely I have myeloma?

by Dr. Edward Libby on Wed Jun 18, 2014 8:05 pm

Hello again,

These results look pretty normal.

The SPEP, serum free light chains and 24-hour urine results will give you the final answers.

Dr. Edward Libby
Name: Edward Libby, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor


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