Dear Diane,
By definition, all MGUS patients have an M spike. And guest is right -- these tests can fluctuate a bit, so I would take a single bump in the number with a grain of salt. I would just keep a close eye on the situation and see if there is a clear trend over time. Both MGUS and smoldering / asymptomatic myeloma can remain stable over time, but smoldering myeloma is much more likely to evolve into symptomatic myeloma that MGUS.
Let us know how things go and good luck!
Pete
Forums
Re: What does a value of 1 mean for M protein?
Thank you Dr. V and guest. I assumed (based on reading I've done) that a higher spike means the status of abnormal bone marrow cells is getting worse. So, I gather that MGUS can produce these abnormal cells (M spike) that can alter (sometimes low then higher).
My friend who works at a blood lab said she questions if the standards were the same at the two different labs (one at a doctor's office and the one at a general lab - Sonora). She also said that one test was early in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
Today is my phone interview with Mayo to learn when I can see them. Thank you so much for all responses. I feel so anxious and then read this forum and feel better. Diane
My friend who works at a blood lab said she questions if the standards were the same at the two different labs (one at a doctor's office and the one at a general lab - Sonora). She also said that one test was early in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
Today is my phone interview with Mayo to learn when I can see them. Thank you so much for all responses. I feel so anxious and then read this forum and feel better. Diane
Re: What does a value of 1 mean for M protein?
Hi there
Would someone be able to clarify what the M spike levels mean? Mine is considered high, but I don't know what to compare that to. I understand that 0 is normal, so what would be considered ok / low risk, what is medium risk, and what would be considered high? Thank you!
Would someone be able to clarify what the M spike levels mean? Mine is considered high, but I don't know what to compare that to. I understand that 0 is normal, so what would be considered ok / low risk, what is medium risk, and what would be considered high? Thank you!
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Kiwigirl
Re: What does a value of 1 mean for M protein?
Hi Diane,
Don't panic I know as everyone else what your feeling I was diagnosed Stage 1 in 2011. Your getting great advice here. I never stopped excersising and still do it.
My blood and organs were never effected, the urine test and cat scan PET scan pushed it towards myeloma and the final was bone biopsy. I am and have been in remission since July 2011. I wont go into great detail. I am no expert, I let my body tell me whats wrong.
I don't do mainstream any longer. I get tested every 6 months by my doctor and do blood work every 3 months. I can go into other details that are working for me. But one thing with your food: make sure its organic.
I was told myeloma is chemical and I think they said bacteria and its not hereditary. I was told to go completely organic by my oncologist / hematologist.
I feel great, but the worst is when the check ups come or I get an ache or pain. Heck, I am 49 and put my body through heck in my younger days. Gonna hurt some. Stay positive; I plan on another 51 years on this earth.
Good luck
Don't panic I know as everyone else what your feeling I was diagnosed Stage 1 in 2011. Your getting great advice here. I never stopped excersising and still do it.
My blood and organs were never effected, the urine test and cat scan PET scan pushed it towards myeloma and the final was bone biopsy. I am and have been in remission since July 2011. I wont go into great detail. I am no expert, I let my body tell me whats wrong.
I don't do mainstream any longer. I get tested every 6 months by my doctor and do blood work every 3 months. I can go into other details that are working for me. But one thing with your food: make sure its organic.
I was told myeloma is chemical and I think they said bacteria and its not hereditary. I was told to go completely organic by my oncologist / hematologist.
I feel great, but the worst is when the check ups come or I get an ache or pain. Heck, I am 49 and put my body through heck in my younger days. Gonna hurt some. Stay positive; I plan on another 51 years on this earth.
Good luck
-
greg matthews - Name: Greg Matthews
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 12-28-2010
- Age at diagnosis: 48
Re: What does a value of 1 mean for M protein?
Hi Greg,
Thanks for your support. I did have the bone marrow aspiration (BMA - awful and painful) in January 2012, and it was negative for multiple myeloma. Was diagnosed with IgG MGUS and just had the 6 month blood checkup and the M-spike didn't change.
As I further research MGUS, I'm learning that many MGUS patients have an autoimmune disease (I have a low functioning thyroid and take Synthyroid). Oddly, I met another woman hiking and she told me she has low thyroid and MGUS too. She was told that autoimmune diseases (MS, lupus, RA, thyroid, Type 1 diabetes, etc.) increase the risk of MGUS, which increases the risk of multiple myeloma.
I've been a vegetarian for decades, no eggs, and avoid dairy. Have always drank red wine and green tea. For the last few years I've use more organic vegetables and have my own garden. Was surprised when reading about MGUS / multiple myeloma that the diet I've been on is recommended. I did start taking one curcurmin capsule per day.
Thanks,
Diane
Thanks for your support. I did have the bone marrow aspiration (BMA - awful and painful) in January 2012, and it was negative for multiple myeloma. Was diagnosed with IgG MGUS and just had the 6 month blood checkup and the M-spike didn't change.
As I further research MGUS, I'm learning that many MGUS patients have an autoimmune disease (I have a low functioning thyroid and take Synthyroid). Oddly, I met another woman hiking and she told me she has low thyroid and MGUS too. She was told that autoimmune diseases (MS, lupus, RA, thyroid, Type 1 diabetes, etc.) increase the risk of MGUS, which increases the risk of multiple myeloma.
I've been a vegetarian for decades, no eggs, and avoid dairy. Have always drank red wine and green tea. For the last few years I've use more organic vegetables and have my own garden. Was surprised when reading about MGUS / multiple myeloma that the diet I've been on is recommended. I did start taking one curcurmin capsule per day.
Thanks,
Diane
Re: What does a value of 1 mean for M protein?
I am so pleased to have found this site.
I was told today that I have an M protein of 1. My serum sample has been sent for further evaluation.
I have sarcoidosis with kidney, lung and lymph node involvement, and it was in my liver, but that seems to have normalized. I had my spleen removed in 2003, as the doctors were sure I had lymphoma, but the lesions they found turned out to be due to sarcoid.
I have had anemia for a couple of years ( ACD, we presumed) and my eGFR is around 40-45 and has remained stable at this level. Electrolytes all normal and ultra sound of kidneys also normal. Ferretin panels normal. Normal calcium and magnesium levels. Low D levels due to avoidance of D on the protocol I am using.
I have never taken steroids and am currently taking high dose ARBS as part of a trial for inflammatory TH1 disease ("Marshall Protocol"). The meds do cause my blood results to go up and down due to immunopathology. I work, exercise and live a pretty hectic life.
I am a caucasion female, age 57. My low red cell count does not seem to cause me any issues, and my recent lung function test was normal. CXR showed only the usual sarcoid scarring on the bases of my lungs. Abdominal U/S showed only a small peri- pancreatic nodule, which has been there since 2009, and appears stable.
So, my question is - can sarcoidosis cause the M level to be raised? I have not had a bone marrow aspiration since 2003. I feel otherwise well.
I was told today that I have an M protein of 1. My serum sample has been sent for further evaluation.
I have sarcoidosis with kidney, lung and lymph node involvement, and it was in my liver, but that seems to have normalized. I had my spleen removed in 2003, as the doctors were sure I had lymphoma, but the lesions they found turned out to be due to sarcoid.
I have had anemia for a couple of years ( ACD, we presumed) and my eGFR is around 40-45 and has remained stable at this level. Electrolytes all normal and ultra sound of kidneys also normal. Ferretin panels normal. Normal calcium and magnesium levels. Low D levels due to avoidance of D on the protocol I am using.
I have never taken steroids and am currently taking high dose ARBS as part of a trial for inflammatory TH1 disease ("Marshall Protocol"). The meds do cause my blood results to go up and down due to immunopathology. I work, exercise and live a pretty hectic life.
I am a caucasion female, age 57. My low red cell count does not seem to cause me any issues, and my recent lung function test was normal. CXR showed only the usual sarcoid scarring on the bases of my lungs. Abdominal U/S showed only a small peri- pancreatic nodule, which has been there since 2009, and appears stable.
So, my question is - can sarcoidosis cause the M level to be raised? I have not had a bone marrow aspiration since 2003. I feel otherwise well.
Re: What does a value of 1 mean for M protein?
Dear Kas,
As others have mentioned, patients with autoimmune diseases have a higher incidence of MGUS. In your case, sarcoidosis could certainly increase your chances of having MGUS. Additionally, patients with sarcoidosis often have what is referred to as polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. In other words, your immune system is in overdrive and making lots of antibodies.
In my experience, if the polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia is particularly robust, low level M-spikes are often seen. I suspect some of these are artifactual (false positives). The SPEP and immunoglobulin testing (IgG, IgM, IgA) should help you determine if there is polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia in the background of your MGUS. Regardless, additional testing for your MGUS is warranted.
Keep us informed of your progress.
Take care!
Pete V.
As others have mentioned, patients with autoimmune diseases have a higher incidence of MGUS. In your case, sarcoidosis could certainly increase your chances of having MGUS. Additionally, patients with sarcoidosis often have what is referred to as polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. In other words, your immune system is in overdrive and making lots of antibodies.
In my experience, if the polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia is particularly robust, low level M-spikes are often seen. I suspect some of these are artifactual (false positives). The SPEP and immunoglobulin testing (IgG, IgM, IgA) should help you determine if there is polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia in the background of your MGUS. Regardless, additional testing for your MGUS is warranted.
Keep us informed of your progress.
Take care!
Pete V.
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Dr. Peter Voorhees - Name: Peter Voorhees, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: What does a value of 1 mean for M protein?
Hello:
My 74 year mother has been been "free" from an recurrence of breast cancer for 10 years. In the last several years she has had two operations to remove melanoma (skin cancer) from her face. She has continued to have excellent care and has had a bone scan within the last two months which was "clear". Her most recent blood tests came back with an elevated M protein level. I do not know the amount. She is being refered back to the cancer clinic for further tests.
She is in excellent health and actually just came back from skiing in the Alps. She has had a personal trainer to keep her muscles strong. She takes 2000 mg of vitamin D a day, but that's all.
Can someone give me a list of questions I should be asking to determine if she has myeloma, and if she does, what is the typical treatment for someone of this age? She did have radiation after her breast cancer and that makes me worried. What is the link between this and her other cancers?
Any help would be appreciated.
My 74 year mother has been been "free" from an recurrence of breast cancer for 10 years. In the last several years she has had two operations to remove melanoma (skin cancer) from her face. She has continued to have excellent care and has had a bone scan within the last two months which was "clear". Her most recent blood tests came back with an elevated M protein level. I do not know the amount. She is being refered back to the cancer clinic for further tests.
She is in excellent health and actually just came back from skiing in the Alps. She has had a personal trainer to keep her muscles strong. She takes 2000 mg of vitamin D a day, but that's all.
Can someone give me a list of questions I should be asking to determine if she has myeloma, and if she does, what is the typical treatment for someone of this age? She did have radiation after her breast cancer and that makes me worried. What is the link between this and her other cancers?
Any help would be appreciated.
-
Froggy
Re: What does a value of 1 mean for M protein?
Froggy, you might want to start a new thread. These are the tests that one usually gets if multiple myeloma is suspected.
http://myeloma.org/pdfs/U-TestResults.pdf
https://myelomabeacon.org/resources/2008/10/15/diagnosis/
In my case, the tests occurred in the order listed in the above first URL over a span of a couple of weeks (i..e. the results of the lab tests led to ordering an xray, which then led to a bone marrow test, where they also conducted the genetic tests). And they you get a diagnosis after you have all of the data from these tests. One cannot comment on treatment until you have all the test results in and know what stage, etc the person is at.
By "bone scan" do you mean a bone density scan, aka "Dexascan"? This only tells you about the density of your bones overall and doesn't tell one if they have any bone lesions associated with multiple myeloma.
It could end up being that she simply has "MGUS" or is "smoldering" and requires no treatment whatsoever. Let's hope and good luck.
http://myeloma.org/pdfs/U-TestResults.pdf
https://myelomabeacon.org/resources/2008/10/15/diagnosis/
In my case, the tests occurred in the order listed in the above first URL over a span of a couple of weeks (i..e. the results of the lab tests led to ordering an xray, which then led to a bone marrow test, where they also conducted the genetic tests). And they you get a diagnosis after you have all of the data from these tests. One cannot comment on treatment until you have all the test results in and know what stage, etc the person is at.
By "bone scan" do you mean a bone density scan, aka "Dexascan"? This only tells you about the density of your bones overall and doesn't tell one if they have any bone lesions associated with multiple myeloma.
It could end up being that she simply has "MGUS" or is "smoldering" and requires no treatment whatsoever. Let's hope and good luck.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: What does a value of 1 mean for M protein?
I am awaiting the results of my 24 hour urine test to see if it shows any Bence Jones protein. I handed in the test yesterday morning, so perhaps I will hear later tonight.
My family doctor seems to feel that if it does, I probably have multiple myeloma, but reading sites, it appears that many MUGS patients show both serum and urine protein. Is this true?
I also waiting to get an appointment to see a multiple myeloma specialist, something that is going to take time here. Apparently, you are triaged, and the most urgent cases will be seen soonest. It could still take another couple of weeks, though. If I do indeed have MGUS, I guess the waiting is no big deal, and I am thrilled at the thought of a BMB or more radiation from X- rays. I have had more than my fair share of chest CT's from an over zealous pulm. I no longer see, so I usually try and limit further exposure. Would it be reasonable, if the BMB is OK, to hold off on the skeletal tests, or are they an absolute must?
As suggested, I remain on my high dose ARB, which I believe also stops the proliferation of tumours. It activates the VDR, so not sure how that plays out here. I have done really well on the treatment re my sarcoid, with only the renal function and anemia still not resolving.
So scary how you can go from thinking you are well one week, to freaking out the next.
I find that exercise helps my anxiety, but I have lost about a kilo, as my appetite is just not its usual robust self. I need to hear what I have wrong, and I am praying for a stable MGUS, with the anemia just being part of the sarcoid picture, and nothing more. I think perhaps that if I lower my ARB dose ( slowly), over time the HgB levels will improve some.
My family doctor seems to feel that if it does, I probably have multiple myeloma, but reading sites, it appears that many MUGS patients show both serum and urine protein. Is this true?
I also waiting to get an appointment to see a multiple myeloma specialist, something that is going to take time here. Apparently, you are triaged, and the most urgent cases will be seen soonest. It could still take another couple of weeks, though. If I do indeed have MGUS, I guess the waiting is no big deal, and I am thrilled at the thought of a BMB or more radiation from X- rays. I have had more than my fair share of chest CT's from an over zealous pulm. I no longer see, so I usually try and limit further exposure. Would it be reasonable, if the BMB is OK, to hold off on the skeletal tests, or are they an absolute must?
As suggested, I remain on my high dose ARB, which I believe also stops the proliferation of tumours. It activates the VDR, so not sure how that plays out here. I have done really well on the treatment re my sarcoid, with only the renal function and anemia still not resolving.
So scary how you can go from thinking you are well one week, to freaking out the next.
I find that exercise helps my anxiety, but I have lost about a kilo, as my appetite is just not its usual robust self. I need to hear what I have wrong, and I am praying for a stable MGUS, with the anemia just being part of the sarcoid picture, and nothing more. I think perhaps that if I lower my ARB dose ( slowly), over time the HgB levels will improve some.
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