I have an m spike in my gamma fraction (IgG lambda) of 0.2. I had never even heard of any of this until abnormal labs. I was sick at the first of this month and he ordered a mono / EBV and other labs that showed the M protein. I am sick again already and this scares me, as I have hip, knee and shoulder pain daily.
I go to oncologist in a few days. Just wish I knew what to think. Terrified!
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Re: M-spike of 0.2 - what does it mean?
Hi Tracyam73,
Welcome to the forum. Going through tests that might indicate multiple myeloma is a scary thing, so those of us who have gone through that can certainly sympathize with you.
What is the unit of measurement for your m-spike? If it is g/dL (commonly used in the US), then your m-spike is not high at all. Nevertheless, it is concerning to have any measurable m-spike.
You may have a condition called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), which is benign, though in some cases can be a precursor to smoldering myeloma or multiple myeloma.
At this stage, the best thing to do is just take a deep breath and take everything one step at a time. If the oncologist suspects multiple myeloma, then there will be a series of other tests to nail it down.
Best wishes to you, and please keep us posted on how things go.
Mike
Welcome to the forum. Going through tests that might indicate multiple myeloma is a scary thing, so those of us who have gone through that can certainly sympathize with you.
What is the unit of measurement for your m-spike? If it is g/dL (commonly used in the US), then your m-spike is not high at all. Nevertheless, it is concerning to have any measurable m-spike.
You may have a condition called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), which is benign, though in some cases can be a precursor to smoldering myeloma or multiple myeloma.
At this stage, the best thing to do is just take a deep breath and take everything one step at a time. If the oncologist suspects multiple myeloma, then there will be a series of other tests to nail it down.
Best wishes to you, and please keep us posted on how things go.
Mike
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: M-spike of 0.2 - what does it mean?
Yes, it is in the U.S., and it is small. That and the fact that I am not anemic, calcium is ok, and kidney function is ok also.
It is the reoccurring sickness, joint pain, and burning sensation in my upper arms that has me worried. My right upper arm first started to feel heavy / numb several months ago and it has come and gone. Lately, like today / yesterday, it is a burning feeling? Just the upper part.
I also have bad pitting edema in lower legs and MTHFR gene mutation? This is why I just don't go to the doctor. LOL
It is the reoccurring sickness, joint pain, and burning sensation in my upper arms that has me worried. My right upper arm first started to feel heavy / numb several months ago and it has come and gone. Lately, like today / yesterday, it is a burning feeling? Just the upper part.
I also have bad pitting edema in lower legs and MTHFR gene mutation? This is why I just don't go to the doctor. LOL
Re: M-spike of 0.2 - what does it mean?
My monoclonal protein increased from 0.2 to 0.3 in 3 months. Should I worry?
Re: M-spike of 0.2 - what does it mean?
I wouldn't worry about that change at all. You could write of that tiny change to normal day-to-day fluctuations and/or the inaccuracy of the test itself.
Moreover, you need to look at trends over time and not just a pop in a number on only one lab test result. To get an idea of how much an M-spike might vary from test to test, you can look at my M-spike history (I'm smoldering), which I update regularly in the forum thread "Fenofibrate (Tricor) and multiple myeloma" (started Jan 5, 2014).
Moreover, you need to look at trends over time and not just a pop in a number on only one lab test result. To get an idea of how much an M-spike might vary from test to test, you can look at my M-spike history (I'm smoldering), which I update regularly in the forum thread "Fenofibrate (Tricor) and multiple myeloma" (started Jan 5, 2014).
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: M-spike of 0.2 - what does it mean?
Multibilly,
Thank you for your answers and input! I have another question for ya
Does my C reactive protein level matter? Recent blood work showed it elevated. 0.00 is normal, 4.9 I think is high, mine is 7.1.
He is making me have an x-ray.
Thank you for your answers and input! I have another question for ya
Does my C reactive protein level matter? Recent blood work showed it elevated. 0.00 is normal, 4.9 I think is high, mine is 7.1.
He is making me have an x-ray.
Re: M-spike of 0.2 - what does it mean?
See Dr. Shah's comments regarding CRP testing.
Except for one specialist I saw over three years ago that seemed like he was evaluating me for a potential transplant in the near future, none of my doctors have ordered a CRP test for me, nor suggested I get one. Others on the forum may have had different experiences.
Except for one specialist I saw over three years ago that seemed like he was evaluating me for a potential transplant in the near future, none of my doctors have ordered a CRP test for me, nor suggested I get one. Others on the forum may have had different experiences.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: M-spike of 0.2 - what does it mean?
Well now, my M-spike has gone away, came back, gone away again. Ugh, I am so confused.
Thank you for your reply!
Thank you for your reply!
Re: M-spike of 0.2 - what does it mean?
Hi Tracyam,
You don't say what your serum free light chain values are doing. If you are being monitored for MGUS, your doctor should absolutely be running a serum free light chain test as part of your normal screening. There are variants of monoclonal gammopathies that primarily reveal themselves via free light chain measurements while exhibiting very small or non-measurable m-spikes.
You don't say what your serum free light chain values are doing. If you are being monitored for MGUS, your doctor should absolutely be running a serum free light chain test as part of your normal screening. There are variants of monoclonal gammopathies that primarily reveal themselves via free light chain measurements while exhibiting very small or non-measurable m-spikes.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
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