[mgusdaughter]

M is almost 9 - can it still be MGUS?

by mgusdaughter on Thu Aug 29, 2013 11:29 pm

I apologize because I only have second hand information from my mom (the patient), so what I know is based only on what she understood from the doctor. What I do know is she's got the high protein levels, so I assume she's what you call MGUS. She's had it for quite a few years - I can't even remember how long. I *think* she maybe be IGa deficient, but not positive. Her doctor said she may have always had this deficiency. Her "number" has been going up steadily, and she told me her most recent M number was almost 9 this time around. Her doctor is monitoring everything closely, and all her other numbers are good - urine, blood, etc. She has no symptoms of multiple myeloma. Does a 9 mean she has myeloma for sure? Is there some point where the number definitely means she has it?

[Multibilly]

Re: M is almost 9 - can it still be MGUS?

by Multibilly on Sat Nov 09, 2013 9:42 am

This is pretty scant info to go on. The units of measure matter greatly for her "M Number". If they are "g/dL" and she is a "9", she is at least at the smoldering level, not the MGUS level. You need to really verify the units of measure.

There are 4 things called C.R.A.B. that help determine if you are at the next level above Smoldering, which is symptomatic multiple myeloma . Blood and urine tests will tell you about the C(calcium), R(renal) and A(anemia) items. But you need a full body xray or some other type of bone imaging to be done to tell you about the B (bone) item. Your C, R and A can be fine, but you still may have a B item going on.

See a myeloma specialist, not a GP or general purpose oncologist regarding this. I can't emphasize that enough.

Best of luck to your mom.

[Whatsamatteru]

Re: M is almost 9 - can it still be MGUS?

by Whatsamatteru on Sat Nov 09, 2013 3:54 pm

I reiterate the previous response. Without mathematical units, "9" may be good or bad., Does it mean 9gm/declLiter 9 (dL) (bad) or 9 gm/Liter (L) (good)? I suspect it means the latter - which would really mean 0.9 (0.9 g/dL) in terms of the more commonly-used terminology.