1. How is the Freelite Test different from the Immunofixation test? I Had the Freelite, but not the Immunifixation done.
2. Also, what does a low C-Reactive Protein mean?
Thank you.
Forums
Re: Light Chain and CRP Questions
Serum Immunofixation tells you about the specific type of abnormal protein produced by the myeloma. Specifically, it tells you about the "presence" of the types of monoclonal proteins IgG, IgA, IgM and the two light chains kappa and lambda. It is not quantitative in that it doesn’t measure the actual amounts of the M-Proteins.
The Freelite test is quantitative and measures the specfic amounts of the kappa and lambda light chains (and only the light chains, not IgG, IgA, etc).
For a complete diagnosis, getting a Freelite test done does not preclude the need for getting an immunofixation test (as well as all the other standard tests), and vice-versa.
I’ll leave it to someone else to comment on CRP, but I "believe" that in general, a "low" CRP means "low risk" (i.e. low inflammation in your body and a lower risk for heart disease, etc).
The Freelite test is quantitative and measures the specfic amounts of the kappa and lambda light chains (and only the light chains, not IgG, IgA, etc).
For a complete diagnosis, getting a Freelite test done does not preclude the need for getting an immunofixation test (as well as all the other standard tests), and vice-versa.
I’ll leave it to someone else to comment on CRP, but I "believe" that in general, a "low" CRP means "low risk" (i.e. low inflammation in your body and a lower risk for heart disease, etc).
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Light Chain and CRP Questions
Here are my results for the Free Light Test:
kappa/lambda ratio,s 0.81 (0.26-1.65)
free lambda lt chains,s 11.62 (5.71-26.30 mg/L)
free kappa lt chains,s 9.44 (3.30-19.40 mg/L)
I didn't have the Immunofixation done. They said it was because I didn't have an M-Spike.
kappa/lambda ratio,s 0.81 (0.26-1.65)
free lambda lt chains,s 11.62 (5.71-26.30 mg/L)
free kappa lt chains,s 9.44 (3.30-19.40 mg/L)
I didn't have the Immunofixation done. They said it was because I didn't have an M-Spike.
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Caeryn23
Re: Light Chain and CRP Questions
Ah, you didn't say before that everything was normal with your FLCs and that you had a SPEP test done to measure your M-Spike 
That's great news.
I'm by no means a doc, so I don't know whether till tell you at this point if an immunofixation test is still needed for good measure. Maybe somebody else can comment, but it strikes me (as a total layman) that if your have no M-Spike and you have normal FLCs, then you are in the clear . But see the Diagnosis section in the Guidelines section in the following URL.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serum-free_light-chain_measurement
The serum free light-chain assay in combination with serum protein electrophoresis and serum immunofixation electrophoresis is sufficient to screen for pathological monoclonal plasmaproliferative disorders other than AL amyloidosis which requires all the serum tests as well as 24 h urine immunofixation electrophoresis
That's great news.I'm by no means a doc, so I don't know whether till tell you at this point if an immunofixation test is still needed for good measure. Maybe somebody else can comment, but it strikes me (as a total layman) that if your have no M-Spike and you have normal FLCs, then you are in the clear . But see the Diagnosis section in the Guidelines section in the following URL.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serum-free_light-chain_measurement
The serum free light-chain assay in combination with serum protein electrophoresis and serum immunofixation electrophoresis is sufficient to screen for pathological monoclonal plasmaproliferative disorders other than AL amyloidosis which requires all the serum tests as well as 24 h urine immunofixation electrophoresis
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Light Chain and CRP Questions
Thank you for the link. I'm not sure if I have a doctor that would order the other tests for me. The one who ordered the Freelite test does not want to see me. I could always ask my primary care doctor.
I don't have insurance, so my options are limited.
I don't have insurance, so my options are limited.
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Caeryn23
Re: Light Chain and CRP Questions
Various docs monitor and comment on most of threads on this site. Hopefully one will comment in the next few days regarding whether any further tests are needed. You very well may not to do any more tests based on the results you already have from your other tests.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Light Chain and CRP Questions
Also, would I need Immunoglobulins or the Beta 2 Microglobulin done? I didn'tt have those either.
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Caeryn23
Re: Light Chain and CRP Questions
I "think" that no other tests would be needed whatsoever if you have no M-Spike and your FLCs are also normal. I can't think of a situation where you could have multiple myeloma and have BOTH tests return normal results. But a doc or somebody more knowledgeable than me really ought to weigh in and you shouldn't take my assumption here as something to bank on.
But this entire thread now begs the question as to why you had your M-Spike and FLCs measured in the first place? What made somebody suspect multiple myeloma?
But this entire thread now begs the question as to why you had your M-Spike and FLCs measured in the first place? What made somebody suspect multiple myeloma?
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Light Chain and CRP Questions
I have back pain, hip pain, and neuropathy in my hands and feet. I also have headaches. The neurologist ordered the UPEP and SPEP (both without immunofixation). Another doctored the Freelite Test.
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Caeryn23
Re: Light Chain and CRP Questions
The low CRP does mean that there is no substantial systemic inflammation going on (be it from infection, a rheumatologic disease or myeloma). The normal free light chain testing and SPEP is encouraging. A serum immunofixation is more sensitive than an SPEP and may detect a low level "M-spike" that your SPEP missed. Also, a 24-hour urine collection is the most sensitive way at picking up an "M-spike" in the urine by UPEP or immunofixation.
Not knowing much about your clinical situation, it is hard for me to comment as to whether or not you need these additional tests (or the immunoglobulins or beta2-microglobulin). I would be surprised if you had symptomatic multiple myeloma based on what you have shared. If there is concern about amyloidosis as the cause of your neuropathy, I would recommend the serum immunofixation and 24-hour urine immunofixation.
I hope this helps. Take care!
Pete V.
Not knowing much about your clinical situation, it is hard for me to comment as to whether or not you need these additional tests (or the immunoglobulins or beta2-microglobulin). I would be surprised if you had symptomatic multiple myeloma based on what you have shared. If there is concern about amyloidosis as the cause of your neuropathy, I would recommend the serum immunofixation and 24-hour urine immunofixation.
I hope this helps. Take care!
Pete V.
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Dr. Peter Voorhees - Name: Peter Voorhees, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
15 posts
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