[Firemedic]

Low IgM & kappa light chains - what's that mean?

by Firemedic on Thu Dec 11, 2014 10:44 pm

I'm trying to make heads or tails of this.

MPA IgG, Serum 544 717 - 1411 mg/dL L
MPA IgA, Serum 102 78 - 391 mg/dL
MPA IgM, Serum 44. 53 - 334 mg/dL L
MPA Kappa, Serum 424 534 - 1267 mg/dL L
MPA Lambda, Serum 265 253 - 653 mg/dL
MPA Kappa/Lambda Ratio 1.60 1 - 3
MPA Result No M protein is identified. NOMP

Anyone help me out here? I have lots of knowledge when it comes to common ailments, but when it is me and immunoglobulin it is a whole different language. While blood test says no M protein, UA electrophoresis interpretation said this:

Poorly defined region of restricted mobility in the kappa lane. Pattern is less well defined or fainter than typically seen in monoclonal gammopathy. This could represent either an atypical presentation of polyclonal immunoglobulins or the presence of a low level kappa containing monoclonal gammopathy.

If clinically indicated, serum monoclonal protein analysis and serum free light chain measure­ments are recommended to evaluate further for monoclonal gammopathy."

I'm confused???

[Multibilly]

Re: Low IgM & kappa light chains - what's that mean?

by Multibilly on Fri Dec 12, 2014 7:31 am

Hi Firemedic,

Welcome to the forum.

What situation caused your doctor to order these tests?

I'm not a doc, but this does not look like a monoclonal gammopathy to me and seems like some sort of other immunodeficiency. Your IgG and IgM are suppressed and you show no measured monoclonal antibodies in your blood. If you had a monoclonal gammopathy, you would typically expect one of your immmunoglobulins and/or your kappa or lambda free light chain value to be elevated, not suppressed. The comments you included indicate that the pathologist did not have access to your other lab results at the time he interpreted your immunofixation test.

Have you had any of these tests done before where you can compare the results? If you haven't already, you might want to seek out a good hematologist. While it doesn't seem like multiple myeloma to me, a hematologist that specializes in multiple myeloma should be able to get to the bottom of this. Here is a link to where you can find some good specialists:

https://myelomabeacon.org/resources/treatment-centers/

Again, a doctor really needs to weigh in on these results. Good luck

[Dr. James Hoffman]

Re: Low IgM & kappa light chains - what's that mean?

by Dr. James Hoffman on Fri Dec 12, 2014 10:55 am

I agree with Multibilly's assessment, but would make the point that (as unfortunately is often the case), the results that look like they are for 'light chains' are actually TOTAL light chains, not free.

The total light chains are fairly unhelpful, and in your case, the free light chain assay is very important as part of the workup. Make sure that is done (and all readers of this forum should be aware of this common source of confusion and error).

[GLCarlton]

Re: Low IgM & kappa light chains - what's that mean?

by GLCarlton on Tue Jan 20, 2015 6:28 am

I have noticed while reading through multiple posts a large number of acronyms and abbreviations. Additionally, a number of comments regarding confusion and lack of knowledge in comprehending the meaning of some posts and lab results containing such acronyms.

Is there a glossary of frequently used terminology on this site?

If not, perhaps one could be provided so as to assist new members such as myself with the understanding of some of the information.