Hello,
I just joined following numerous sleepless nights thinking I may have multiple myeloma.
I'm from Australia (42 years old) and currently have a kidney transplant (17 years now) and was diagnosed with MGUS approx 6 years ago. I have been getting bloods done every 3 months to check the function of the transplant and monitor the MGUS. My paraprotein level remained fairly stable at 16g/L [1.6g/dL] up to April 14.
What has changed is the concentration of kappa free light chains. The immunoglobulin molecule has the heavy chain (IgG) and either kappa or lambda light chains. The ratio of of kappa to lambda was around 14 back in 2011 and stable but now my results are up to 30 with the kappa concentration going from 118 to 380 mg/L (copied this from the doctor's letter to me).
Subsequently the nephrologist sent me for a bone marrow examination 4 days ago.
I have not received the test results yet but was wondering if anyone has had an experience with the above, especially if they were a kidney transplant recipient prior to multiple myeloma diagnosis.
Also if anyone thinks the above means I have multiple myeloma i would be interested in your thoughts -- especially if anyone was a kidney transplant recipient prior to multiple myeloma diagnosis and without the multiple myeloma being the cause of the kidney failure.
Reading the forums on this site has made me very concerned indeed.
Any assistance would be appreciated.
Best Regards
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Re: MGUS with kidney transplant & rising K/L FLC ratio
Welcome to the forum, Nate.
Your concern is understandable, but you also should be cautious about drawing too many conclusions from a single set of lab results.
For example, look a bit more closely at your lab results. Your kappa levels went up by a factor of 3.22 (380/118). But your K/L ratio only went up by a factor of 2.14 (30/14).
That means your lambda levels went up at the same time that your kappa levels went up, although not be as much, so the K/L ratio still went up.
I'm not a doctor, but I believe that if myeloma were causing changes in your light chain results, you would probably be seeing your lambda levels going down as your kappa levels increase. That's not happening in your case.
Was there any change in your M-spike (paraprotein level) at the same time as your FLC results changed.
Also, did you have any tests done to see if your kidney function has changed recently?
Let us know what your bone marrow biopsy results are when you get them.
Your concern is understandable, but you also should be cautious about drawing too many conclusions from a single set of lab results.
For example, look a bit more closely at your lab results. Your kappa levels went up by a factor of 3.22 (380/118). But your K/L ratio only went up by a factor of 2.14 (30/14).
That means your lambda levels went up at the same time that your kappa levels went up, although not be as much, so the K/L ratio still went up.
I'm not a doctor, but I believe that if myeloma were causing changes in your light chain results, you would probably be seeing your lambda levels going down as your kappa levels increase. That's not happening in your case.
Was there any change in your M-spike (paraprotein level) at the same time as your FLC results changed.
Also, did you have any tests done to see if your kidney function has changed recently?
Let us know what your bone marrow biopsy results are when you get them.
Re: MGUS with kidney transplant & rising K/L FLC ratio
Thanks Terry, really appreciate the note.
I will let you know the results.
Cheers
I will let you know the results.
Cheers
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1