[Multibilly]

Re: Confused about lab results - told I have MGUS

by Multibilly on Tue Jan 20, 2015 6:41 pm

Again, I'm not a doc, and only a doc should definitively give you feedback on your findings. While all these results are encouraging, you need to keep in mind that bone marrow biopsies can sometimes be hit and miss, since the disease may not be uniformly spread throughout your bones. So, even though you may have some stage of multiple myeloma, the doctor may have hit a "dry" spot devoid of any disease when he/she did the biopsy.

I would still try and get full copies of your original lab reports so that you can figure out what your M-spike is. Also, it would be helpful to know what your kappa and lambda free light chain values are. That might give you another clue to the puzzle.

But chances are you do have only MGUS and you could very well spend the rest of your life with MGUS and never be any the worse for it and never require treatment. Many people go through life with MGUS and never even know they have it.

Once you get copies of all your original lab results (and a CD and radiological reports of any imaging you might have had), I might suggest spending the money and getting a second opinion, like you mentioned earlier. As you mentioned, Dr Berenson would be one great choice. Dr. Berenson is a very compassionate and knowledgeable doctor and a visit with him might help put your mind at rest regarding this diagnosis.

[Dr. Jonathan Kaufman]

Re: Confused about lab results - told I have MGUS

by Dr. Jonathan Kaufman on Wed Jan 21, 2015 11:26 am

bri55,

Again, I agree with Multibilly. Obtaining the full report of the SPEP and getting a serum free light chain will be helpful. Most of the time, when the IgG is 3000 then we would typically see some abnormality in the marrow. It is possible that you may not even have MGUS or, if you do, it is a very low level.

I do encourage you to seek a second opinion and sit down with someone who will carefully go through your testing and answer your questions.

My best,

Jlk

[bri55]

Re: Confused about lab results - told I have MGUS

by bri55 on Wed Jan 21, 2015 2:34 pm

Okay, found this:

Kappa Light Chain 28 (3-19)
Lambda Light Chain 35 (6-26)
Ratio 0.8 (0.3-1.7)

Alpha 1 Normal
Alpha 2 Normal
Beta globulin Normal
Protein 8.5

That is all that is reported.