Hi again Colin, It looks like your 'M' protein is falling quickly, which is good news! I felt so much better when the 'tumor burden' was reduced after initial treatment.
I thought you might like to read a column I wrote about blood tests:
Shamanna, N, "Northern Lights: Watching The Detectives," The Myeloma Beacon, March 14, 2013
I tried to explain what is tested and looked for in my blood tests. I am still getting these same tests too.
Forums
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: M-spike & free light chains - keys to tracking response?
Thanks so much, Nancy. I really appreciated the article and the insight into this journey that you have provided. I will review again and again.
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Colin - Name: Colin Rice
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: M-spike & free light chains - keys to tracking response?
Here is my M-spike (g/L) performance during first few cycles of induction chemotherapy on cyclophosphamide, Velcade, and dexamethasone (CyBorD).
Date M-Spike Kappa FLC Lambda FLC K-L FLC
(g/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) Ratio
2016-11-28 39.4
2017-01-06 19.8 20.4 7.0 2.91
2017-02-03 10.7 17.9 6.8 2.63
2017-03-06 8.8
Kappa FLC reference range: 3.3-19.4 mg/L
Lambda FLC reference range: 5.7-26.3 mg/L
Kappa-lambda ratio reference range: 0.26-1.65
Looking good I believe. My autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) will be scheduled for July-August 2017, so I'll be extended a few more cycles of induction therapy.
Date M-Spike Kappa FLC Lambda FLC K-L FLC
(g/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) Ratio
2016-11-28 39.4
2017-01-06 19.8 20.4 7.0 2.91
2017-02-03 10.7 17.9 6.8 2.63
2017-03-06 8.8
Kappa FLC reference range: 3.3-19.4 mg/L
Lambda FLC reference range: 5.7-26.3 mg/L
Kappa-lambda ratio reference range: 0.26-1.65
Looking good I believe. My autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) will be scheduled for July-August 2017, so I'll be extended a few more cycles of induction therapy.
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Colin - Name: Colin Rice
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: M-spike & free light chains - keys to tracking response?
Great news, Colin! Hope your stem cell transplant goes smoothly and you can get out on your bike!
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: M-spike & free light chains - keys to tracking response?
I didn't mean to monopolize this thread with my blood test results, but I wanted to report some great news I received yesterday when I went for my Velcade injection at the cancer clinic. My free light chain (FLC) (kappa, lambda, and the kappa-lambda ratio) results dated March 3, 2017 are all within range for the first time since I started the induction therapy in early December 2016. The FLC results have not been made available to me online and I have been requesting them from the nurses at the start of each new cycle.
Kappa FLC - 11.2 mg/L [Reference Range 3.3 - 19.4]
Lambda FLC - 7.4 mg/L [Reference Range 5.7 - 26.3]
K/L FLC Ratio - 1.51 [Reference Range 0.26 - 1.65]
Kappa FLC - 11.2 mg/L [Reference Range 3.3 - 19.4]
Lambda FLC - 7.4 mg/L [Reference Range 5.7 - 26.3]
K/L FLC Ratio - 1.51 [Reference Range 0.26 - 1.65]
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Colin - Name: Colin Rice
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 60
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