I have recently had hepatitis CMV and had a high liver and white blood cell count. I was fortunate to have private medical insurance here in the UK, so went to a private consultant for a diagnosis.
When it seemed that I was on the mend, he discharged me and sent my GP a letter informing him of my diagnosis. However, at the end of the letter he had written (with no correspondence to myself) that my bloods had shown a low level of paraprotein and he presumes this is probably due to me having MGUS, and to retest my bloods in 6 months.
My GP didn't even know what he was talking about (he hadn't even heard of the paraprotein or MGUS), and opened up his blood request page to try and fathom out what bloods he should request and has given me the blood sheet to take in January. He has requested my UEs, FBC2, GGT, LFT, ALB, ESIS and TP.
As he didn't even know what he was looking for I am just looking for some reassurance that he is requesting the correct bloods.
As I had high liver and white blood cell results could the paraprotein just be a temporary blip due to that and there not be a trace of it in January or is that just wishful thinking?
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Re: May have MGUS - have correct blood tests been requested?
Henrietta,
If you were to be thorough, you would order all of the following tests listed under "Laboratory Tests" here:
http://myeloma.org/pdfs/IMF-U-TestResults-2011_f1web.pdf
Note that you are probably already getting some of these tests done like the CBC and Metabolic Panel due to the hepatitis.
Depending on the results of these lab tests, you would then consider the other tests that are listed in the above link.
I'm not sure what the lab test abbreviations mean in your post (I think they might use different names in the UK). But I might respectfully be a bit cautious of what your GP orders if he doesn't know what "MGUS" or a "paraprotein" is. I have no idea how things work in the UK medical system, but you might want to try and at least get access to a hematologist to order and go over these tests with you (ideally one that specializes in multiple myeloma).
And, yes, the paraproteins could be a temporary blip, but I wouldn't pass up on some basic follow up testing because of that.
If you were to be thorough, you would order all of the following tests listed under "Laboratory Tests" here:
http://myeloma.org/pdfs/IMF-U-TestResults-2011_f1web.pdf
Note that you are probably already getting some of these tests done like the CBC and Metabolic Panel due to the hepatitis.
Depending on the results of these lab tests, you would then consider the other tests that are listed in the above link.
I'm not sure what the lab test abbreviations mean in your post (I think they might use different names in the UK). But I might respectfully be a bit cautious of what your GP orders if he doesn't know what "MGUS" or a "paraprotein" is. I have no idea how things work in the UK medical system, but you might want to try and at least get access to a hematologist to order and go over these tests with you (ideally one that specializes in multiple myeloma).
And, yes, the paraproteins could be a temporary blip, but I wouldn't pass up on some basic follow up testing because of that.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: May have MGUS - have correct blood tests been requested?
Thank you for your reply, you are all so helpful on here. Yes I guess each country has its own abbreviations and methods. I'm not sure I can see a haematologist without being referred by my GP. I have a follow up blood test from the hepatitis in October so I think I will print out your link and take it along to my doctor. If I feel he doesn't take it seriously I guess I could ask to see someone else.
Re: May have MGUS - have correct blood tests been requested?
Henrietta
I'm also from the UK (near Oxford / Swindon) and I was also diagnosed with MGUS in August after bloods and a BMB. I've also got private medical cover and have had a battery of tests and am still not out the other side yet (most recent test showed protein in urine). If you want to compare notes, please private message me.
Take care
Simon
I'm also from the UK (near Oxford / Swindon) and I was also diagnosed with MGUS in August after bloods and a BMB. I've also got private medical cover and have had a battery of tests and am still not out the other side yet (most recent test showed protein in urine). If you want to compare notes, please private message me.
Take care
Simon
Re: May have MGUS - have correct blood tests been requested?
Thank you for the reply Simon. At present I don't really understand all the results as my consultant never forwarded them to my GP. Quite relieved that I'm being referred to the haematologist sooner than I thought, as at least I can have a face to face discussion about it. My GP had at least got the practice nurse to google what MGUS was since my first visit about it, which didn't fill me with lots of confidence.
As my red blood cells have now increased, I do feel a bit nervous that things are progressing, but I also could be reading too much into it.
GP said I should hear about an appointment within a week. At least with more info I may understand a bit more what you're going through.
As my red blood cells have now increased, I do feel a bit nervous that things are progressing, but I also could be reading too much into it.
GP said I should hear about an appointment within a week. At least with more info I may understand a bit more what you're going through.
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