Hi everyone,
I’ve been reading all your inspiring posts and have decided to join up for support whilst waiting for my appointment with the doctor, after my Serum Protein Electrophoresis tests came back and shows a faint band in the beta region.
I’m really not quite sure how concerned to be at the moment, but am trying (a little unsuccessfully) to put it at the back of my mind until the appointment, that I don’t even know when It will be, because I’m in the middle of changing my insurance and my rheumatologist is not in the list of providers, but I have no choice because I can not keep the old one.
I’m 63 years old and I went to the rheumatologist three month ago for worsening of muscles, joints, hips, shoulders, groins, and back pain, weakness and numbness in my hands and feet, dizziness, shortness of breath, tiredness, lethargy that I can’t even function any more. Then she ordered some blood test and it came back abnormal with a note from the lab saying:
“Serum Protein Electrophoresis shows a faint Band in the Beta Region which may represent a Monoclonal Gammopathy. Recommend serum and urine Immunofixation Electrophoresis….
09/12/2013
Fraction %
Albumin 56.7% 4.1 g /dL
Alpha-1-Globulin 2.1% 0.2 g /dL
Alpha-2-Globulin 8.6% 0.6 g /dL
Beta Globulin 19.9% 1.4+ g /dL High
Gamma Globulin 12.8% 0.9 g /dL
M-Spike Not Observed
Protein, total, Serum 7.3 g /dL
A/G Ratio 1.3
Globulin, total 3.2 g/dL
Free Kappa Lt Chains, S 14.46 mg/L
Free Lambda Lt Chains, S 11.72 mg/L
Kappa/Lambda Ratio, S 1.23
Immunoglobulin E, total 399 High
Sedimentation Rate 16
C-Reactive Protein, Quant 5.3 High
Immunoglobulin G, Serum 1,122
Immunoglobulin A, Serum 401
eGFR 74 mL/min/1.73
Creatinina 0.84 mg/L
Alkaline Phosphatase 39 IU/L LOW
Hemoglobin 12.8 g/dL
Please, I really need help to make sense of all this, because the doctor just said that she was not expecting this and there where some steps that we have to do and it will be a long process.
But at the moment I did not understand was she was talking about so I did not asked the right questions.
She said that she has to order some other tests, gave me a copy of the results and that was the end of the conversation. When a saw the results and I did some research, I talk to my primary doctor (by the way a new doctor that I was visiting 2nd time) and them he gave me the order for the IFE and PE, Serum and 24-hr Ur.
But when the results came back his secretary said that they are going to send the result to my rheumatologist so she can follow up with me.
I asked for a copy, but I don’t think that have all the results because there are some things that are missing, for Example no Kappa or Lambda result? The forms where different and the Lab Comments are missing also. (Pages Missing?) This was last month in November 11, 2013
IFE and PE, Serum:
Beta Globulin 1.4 g/dL High
Please Note: Comment:
Immunofixation Result, Serum Comment:
A/G Ratio 1.4
Gamma Globulin 0.9 g/dL
M-Spike Not Observed
Alpha-1-Globulin 0.1 g/dL
Alpha-2-Globulin 0.7 g/dL
Albumin 4.1 g/dL
Immunoglobulin M, Qn, Serum 77 mg/dL
Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum 406 mg/dL
Immunoglobulin G, Qn, Serum 1,118 mg/dL
Globulin, Total 3.1 g/dL
eGFR 69 mL/min/1.73
Creatinina 0.94 mg/dL
Alkaline Phosphatase 38 IU/L LOW
Hemoglobin 12.2 g/dL
IFE + Protein Electro, 24-Hr Ur
Note: Comment:
Alha-2-Globulin,u 0.0 %
Protrin, total,Urine 3.1 mg/dL
Prot, 24hr calculated 68.2 mg/24 hr
Innunofixation Result, Urine Comment:
Albumin, U 100 %
Gamma Globulin, U 0.0 %
M-Spioke, mg/24 hr 0 (Not Observed mg/24hr)
Beta globulin, U 0.0 %
M-Spike, % 0.0 (Not Observed %)
Alpha-1-Globulin,U 0.0 %
I’m hoping this is nothing and that I’m over-reacting, but I also want to start preparing myself mentally in case something is really wrong. Please I need help because I don’t know what to do next or where to go. If, I can wait or I should act as soon as possible?
Anyway, sorry that was so long. This forum has been useful and comforting to me already; thank you for that.
I am very sorry to hear about your stories. I wish only the very best for you all.
Forums
4 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Re: Lab results - amyloidosis or multiple myeloma?
Based on what you have reported, it does not appear that you have a monoclonal protein (i.e M spike or clonal free light chains). As such, I doubt that myeloma, amyloidosis or other clonal plasma cell disease is at play. I would keep your appointment with your Hematologist-Oncologist, though, to review the tests, as sometimes important details are missed in this forum. A good start, though. Based on your symptoms and labs, a rheumatologic process seems highly plausible. Further work-up is definitely necessary.
Good Luck!
Pete V.
Good Luck!
Pete V.
-
Dr. Peter Voorhees - Name: Peter Voorhees, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Lab results - amyloidosis or multiple myeloma?
Hi Doctor Voorhees,
Thank you very much for your help, now I'm feeling better.
Yes you are right that I have a rheumatologic problem, I have RA and vasculitis.
I forgot to mention that I have been suffering from several health problems for about 6 years. I have Diagnostics of Collagen Vascular Disease, Unsp. Arteritis (Vasculitis).
So I have been in many Immunomodulators medications. Now I'm off of them and have been
for a while because of a bad allergic reaction from the Humira injections.
Inflammatory Polyarthropaty, Neurocardiogenic Syncope (Dysautonomic Syndrome),
Orthostatic hypotension, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia (POTS), Obstructive Sleep Aphnea,
High Blood Pressure, Heart Condition: Concentric Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, Diastolic, Dysfunction, Aortic, Mitral, Tricuspid, and Pulmonic Valves Insufficiency, Supraventricular Aritmia, moderate Pulmonary hypertension, cronic Broquitis, Lumbar and cervical radiculopathy, Osteoporosis, Lumbar Fracture Risk is moderate, Vit D and Iron Insufficiency, Type II Diabetis and CKD.
So that is why this new problem was a little big too much for me, I have been suffering so much pain and incapacity symtoms that I was afraid of some thing like this.
But I'm a fighter and I will keep the good fight and I will follow your advice.
Thank you again doctor and God Bless you,
Betsy50
Thank you very much for your help, now I'm feeling better.
Yes you are right that I have a rheumatologic problem, I have RA and vasculitis.
I forgot to mention that I have been suffering from several health problems for about 6 years. I have Diagnostics of Collagen Vascular Disease, Unsp. Arteritis (Vasculitis).
So I have been in many Immunomodulators medications. Now I'm off of them and have been
for a while because of a bad allergic reaction from the Humira injections.
Inflammatory Polyarthropaty, Neurocardiogenic Syncope (Dysautonomic Syndrome),
Orthostatic hypotension, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia (POTS), Obstructive Sleep Aphnea,
High Blood Pressure, Heart Condition: Concentric Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, Diastolic, Dysfunction, Aortic, Mitral, Tricuspid, and Pulmonic Valves Insufficiency, Supraventricular Aritmia, moderate Pulmonary hypertension, cronic Broquitis, Lumbar and cervical radiculopathy, Osteoporosis, Lumbar Fracture Risk is moderate, Vit D and Iron Insufficiency, Type II Diabetis and CKD.
So that is why this new problem was a little big too much for me, I have been suffering so much pain and incapacity symtoms that I was afraid of some thing like this.
But I'm a fighter and I will keep the good fight and I will follow your advice.
Thank you again doctor and God Bless you,
Betsy50
Re: Lab results - amyloidosis or multiple myeloma?
Hi Everyone,
I keep reading some of your posts and learning about these very complicated diseases that until now, I never hear any thing about and not even knew that existed, so that is why I have more and more questions every time I learned some thing else from you.
I’m amaze of your courage to cope with all the pain and the ups and downs of the illness and the compassion and love that you show one another and the wonderful doctors in these forums.
The knowledge that all of you display and the support of all the wonderful doctors that give of themselves and their time to help here, is admirable and for sure that give you the power to overcome everything and be very brave and very positive as you all are.
Thanks, for all you do!!!
I finally went to a new doctor and I show her the tests result, then she told me she will repeat the test and when she got the results, then gave me the referral to the hematologist oncologist for him to give me all the explanations (she said) and do the rest of the test that are necessary; and now I’m waiting again for the appointment that is in February; so I would like to ask you some more questions.
The tests result shows a faint Band in Beta Region in both the serum protein electrophoresis and the immunofixation serum so that is confirmed? But now in the 3rd round of test in another lab the band is in the gamma region and in urine. Is that usual?
Electrophoresis Serum:
Protein, total 7.2 g/dl
M-Spike Not Observed
Albumin 3.5 g/dL
Alpha-1-Globulin 0.2 g/dL
Alpha-2-Globulin 0.7 g/dL
Beta Globulins 1.4 g/dl High
Gamma Globulins 1.3 g/dL
Kappa 298 mg/dL High range 74-295 ( these ranges are different that the ones in the other Lab).
Lamda 165 mg/dL High range 32-156
Kappa/Lambda Ratio 1.8
Calcio 9.9 mg/dL
1.-What those bands really mean if I don’t have M Spike?
2.-The beta globulin in serum is high 19.9% the normal should be less than 10% I also would like to know, what it means?
3.-Could be possible to be IgE Myeloma, IgD Myeloma, AL or not Secretory multiple myeloma, and how can I find out?
The main problem for me is that I have so much pain all over the spine, shoulders, hips, ribs, and almost all my others bones, no strength, weakness and numbness in my hands and feet and fatigue, that is very debilitated, some days I can’t not even function.
In 2011 I was having a lot health issues like I posted before and my blood test were all over the place. I was having my white blood cells high, red blood cells low and hypercalcemia with the calcium 14.5 mg/dl and 16.8 mg/dl so the doctor send me to a hematologist oncologist but it took so long that my numbers got better when I had the appointment; but any way the doctor send me for a bone morrow test and at that moment I didn’t do any research and I just stay with a simple answer “There is no evidence of acute leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma” and send me home with no other appointment.
And no other test; for me that was a good news and I didn’t asked any other question; my mistake?
I don’t know, but now I look for the test result and I see things that I would like to know if they have something to do with what I’m having now? There a lot of information in those test but I’m going to write what I think is relevant?
Flow Cytometry 8/23/2011
Comments :
There is not evidence of Acute Leukemia or non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. CD34+ blasts are not increased (1.2%). Low grade Stem Cell Disorders (eg. MDS or MPD) cannot be completely ruled out by Flow Cytometry. Please correlate with morphologic and clinical findings.
Specimen Viability: 90%
Cell yield: 30.0 Million
CD45 Dim 3%
CD45 Neg 1%
CD34+ 1.2%
Plasmacytes Gate
CD19 90% Moderate
CD38 100% BRIGHT
CD45 94% Moderate
CD56 20% Moderate
CD138 99% BRIGHT
B-Cell Gate
Kappa 62% moderate
Lamda 38%Moderate
Bone Marrow smears and biopsy
-Normocellular to Hypocellular bone marrow
-Normal maturation of white and red blood cell
-Precursor cells Myeloid to Erythroid Ratio 10:1
-Megakaryocytes present and in normal numbers and morphology
-Depletion of hemosiderin stores (as shown by the Prussian blue stain in specimen B and C).
Please, I need help to understand.
I keep reading some of your posts and learning about these very complicated diseases that until now, I never hear any thing about and not even knew that existed, so that is why I have more and more questions every time I learned some thing else from you.
I’m amaze of your courage to cope with all the pain and the ups and downs of the illness and the compassion and love that you show one another and the wonderful doctors in these forums.
The knowledge that all of you display and the support of all the wonderful doctors that give of themselves and their time to help here, is admirable and for sure that give you the power to overcome everything and be very brave and very positive as you all are.
Thanks, for all you do!!!
I finally went to a new doctor and I show her the tests result, then she told me she will repeat the test and when she got the results, then gave me the referral to the hematologist oncologist for him to give me all the explanations (she said) and do the rest of the test that are necessary; and now I’m waiting again for the appointment that is in February; so I would like to ask you some more questions.
The tests result shows a faint Band in Beta Region in both the serum protein electrophoresis and the immunofixation serum so that is confirmed? But now in the 3rd round of test in another lab the band is in the gamma region and in urine. Is that usual?
Electrophoresis Serum:
Protein, total 7.2 g/dl
M-Spike Not Observed
Albumin 3.5 g/dL
Alpha-1-Globulin 0.2 g/dL
Alpha-2-Globulin 0.7 g/dL
Beta Globulins 1.4 g/dl High
Gamma Globulins 1.3 g/dL
Kappa 298 mg/dL High range 74-295 ( these ranges are different that the ones in the other Lab).
Lamda 165 mg/dL High range 32-156
Kappa/Lambda Ratio 1.8
Calcio 9.9 mg/dL
1.-What those bands really mean if I don’t have M Spike?
2.-The beta globulin in serum is high 19.9% the normal should be less than 10% I also would like to know, what it means?
3.-Could be possible to be IgE Myeloma, IgD Myeloma, AL or not Secretory multiple myeloma, and how can I find out?
The main problem for me is that I have so much pain all over the spine, shoulders, hips, ribs, and almost all my others bones, no strength, weakness and numbness in my hands and feet and fatigue, that is very debilitated, some days I can’t not even function.
In 2011 I was having a lot health issues like I posted before and my blood test were all over the place. I was having my white blood cells high, red blood cells low and hypercalcemia with the calcium 14.5 mg/dl and 16.8 mg/dl so the doctor send me to a hematologist oncologist but it took so long that my numbers got better when I had the appointment; but any way the doctor send me for a bone morrow test and at that moment I didn’t do any research and I just stay with a simple answer “There is no evidence of acute leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma” and send me home with no other appointment.
And no other test; for me that was a good news and I didn’t asked any other question; my mistake?
I don’t know, but now I look for the test result and I see things that I would like to know if they have something to do with what I’m having now? There a lot of information in those test but I’m going to write what I think is relevant?
Flow Cytometry 8/23/2011
Comments :
There is not evidence of Acute Leukemia or non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. CD34+ blasts are not increased (1.2%). Low grade Stem Cell Disorders (eg. MDS or MPD) cannot be completely ruled out by Flow Cytometry. Please correlate with morphologic and clinical findings.
Specimen Viability: 90%
Cell yield: 30.0 Million
CD45 Dim 3%
CD45 Neg 1%
CD34+ 1.2%
Plasmacytes Gate
CD19 90% Moderate
CD38 100% BRIGHT
CD45 94% Moderate
CD56 20% Moderate
CD138 99% BRIGHT
B-Cell Gate
Kappa 62% moderate
Lamda 38%Moderate
Bone Marrow smears and biopsy
-Normocellular to Hypocellular bone marrow
-Normal maturation of white and red blood cell
-Precursor cells Myeloid to Erythroid Ratio 10:1
-Megakaryocytes present and in normal numbers and morphology
-Depletion of hemosiderin stores (as shown by the Prussian blue stain in specimen B and C).
Please, I need help to understand.
4 posts
• Page 1 of 1