My mother diagnosed with multiple myeloma in March 2014 and her readings are as under:
Kappa light chain : 45.10
Lambda light chain : 6.56
K/L ratio : 6.880
I want to understand this ratio and whats its meaning is.
Regards,
Vikas Sood
Forums
7 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Re: Meaning of free light chain test results
Your post does not give a referral to normal values. My kappa/lambda ratio has gone up in the last 6 months, first to 9.8 and then to 13 point something. My hematologist said that, as all the other numbers are stable, we just need to monitor the situation with our three months checks. I understood that I don't need to worry - yet!
I would like to know what kind of numbers are a source of worry.
I would like to know what kind of numbers are a source of worry.
-
Annamaria - Name: Annamaria
- Who do you know with myeloma?: I am a patient
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Meaning of free light chain test results
Annamaria,
As your doc suggests, you really need to be looking at the trends of a number of key markers and not just the involved/uninvolved FLC ratio to get an idea if you are you might be progressing. These include the M-Spike, individual lambda and kappa values, IgG, IgA and IgM and those markers associated with CRAB (creatinine, hemoglobin, and calcium). For this purpose, I find it extremely useful to graph all these values over time and I then discuss these trends with my doc when I see him every couple of months.
Now, having said that, an involved/uninvolved FLC ratio of 13 is fairly low. For somebody with MGUS or smoldering multiple myeloma, an involved/uninvolved FLC ratio of 100 (where either the kappa or lambda absolute value is at least 100 mg/L) is now classified as a "Myeloma Defining Event", where you would require treatment. But you are really well below this threshold.
S Vincent Rajkumar, "New Criteria For The Diagnosis Of Multiple Myeloma And Related Disorders," The Myeloma Beacon, Oct 26, 2014.
Hope this helps.
As your doc suggests, you really need to be looking at the trends of a number of key markers and not just the involved/uninvolved FLC ratio to get an idea if you are you might be progressing. These include the M-Spike, individual lambda and kappa values, IgG, IgA and IgM and those markers associated with CRAB (creatinine, hemoglobin, and calcium). For this purpose, I find it extremely useful to graph all these values over time and I then discuss these trends with my doc when I see him every couple of months.
Now, having said that, an involved/uninvolved FLC ratio of 13 is fairly low. For somebody with MGUS or smoldering multiple myeloma, an involved/uninvolved FLC ratio of 100 (where either the kappa or lambda absolute value is at least 100 mg/L) is now classified as a "Myeloma Defining Event", where you would require treatment. But you are really well below this threshold.
S Vincent Rajkumar, "New Criteria For The Diagnosis Of Multiple Myeloma And Related Disorders," The Myeloma Beacon, Oct 26, 2014.
Hope this helps.
-
Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Meaning of free light chain test results
Yes, Multibilly, it helps a lot! Thank you so much! Sometimes I am shy with the doctors, I see that they are in a such a hurry, dealing with patients one after another all morning long, and I don't feel like pestering them with a million questions. But I did have this thought at the back of my mind! Your answer should prove reassuring for Vikas too!
-
Annamaria - Name: Annamaria
- Who do you know with myeloma?: I am a patient
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Meaning of free light chain test results
Thanks Annamaria & Multibiily.
Really it gives me great relief. However other factors are also considerable in my mother case.
However, I find this site very useful for those who are searching answers to their queries about multiple myeloma.
God bless you!!
Best regards,
Vikas Sood
Really it gives me great relief. However other factors are also considerable in my mother case.
However, I find this site very useful for those who are searching answers to their queries about multiple myeloma.
God bless you!!
Best regards,
Vikas Sood
-
Vikas Sood
Re: Meaning of free light chain test results
I think I may be in the same place as Annamaria. I've been in sCR since Oct. 2013. Then, this October, my FLC ratio went out of range. Up to 11. Then down the last 2 months to 8. By the standards I'm familiar with, this means I'm no longer in sCR. IFE is negative.
The doctor said everybody is pleased with where I'm at. I've not had a transplant. But, two words stand out in his email regarding the ratio – "significance unknown". I won't see him until February. But I plan on asking him what he means by that.
Seems like the thing I need to be concerned with is the kappa light chain (I'm IgG kappa). The lambda numbers were below normal the last 3 months. I guess this caused the large spread between the kappa and lambda numbers, giving an out of range FLC ratio.
The doctor said everybody is pleased with where I'm at. I've not had a transplant. But, two words stand out in his email regarding the ratio – "significance unknown". I won't see him until February. But I plan on asking him what he means by that.
Seems like the thing I need to be concerned with is the kappa light chain (I'm IgG kappa). The lambda numbers were below normal the last 3 months. I guess this caused the large spread between the kappa and lambda numbers, giving an out of range FLC ratio.
-
Stan W. - Name: Stan
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: SMM-April 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Meaning of free light chain test results
New test results on my Mother are as under:
Kappa light chain : 37.28
Lambda light chain : 5.97
K/L ratio : 6.24
But she become very week and prone to infections.
Regards,
Vikas Sood
Kappa light chain : 37.28
Lambda light chain : 5.97
K/L ratio : 6.24
But she become very week and prone to infections.
Regards,
Vikas Sood
-
Vikas Sood
7 posts
• Page 1 of 1