Could someone have a normal protein level but have multiple myeloma? They have done a protein electrophoresis on my father and we should get results within 4-5 days. I understand that high protein levels correlate with multiple myeloma- but I was wondering if anyone has known of a situation that someone was diagnosed although their absolute protein level (part of normal blood work) was normal.
Thanks
Chrissy RN
Forums
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Re: multiple myeloma and total protein levels
Hello from sunny Seattle (today at least) Chrissy!
Yes. This is possible and especially true for patients with light chain myeloma. That is why is it critical that patients being screened for myeloma have BOTH a serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and a 24 hour urine collection for a urine electrophoresis (UPEP). In 2012 the serum free light chain test can be used instead of a 24 hour urine and UPEP in the vast majority of patients.
Yes. This is possible and especially true for patients with light chain myeloma. That is why is it critical that patients being screened for myeloma have BOTH a serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and a 24 hour urine collection for a urine electrophoresis (UPEP). In 2012 the serum free light chain test can be used instead of a 24 hour urine and UPEP in the vast majority of patients.
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Dr. Edward Libby - Name: Edward Libby, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: multiple myeloma and total protein levels
Chrissy RN,
What Dr. Libby describes is exactly my situation. I do not and never had, a measurable M Spike. Immunofixation has only shown a faint IGG Kappa band. Yet I was diagonosed with stage II multiple myeloma, since I had multiple lesions on my hips and right femur and was anemic (low red and white counts). They track me through the Free Light Chain Assay. Back in Feb of 2009, I had a Kappa Light Chain Reading of 95.8 (normal is 3.3-19.4) my Lambda Light Chain was below normal at 2.27 (normal is 5.71 - 26.3). The Kappa/Lambda free ratio was very high at 42.2 (normal is .26-1.65).
I have been on a combination therapy of VRD plus Aredia since my diagnosis. The Kappa band started falling almost immediately and I was in the normal range after 4 months of treatment and have maintained that normal range ever since. My last reading was 9.1, a major drop from 95.8 back in Feb of 2009. The Kappa/Lambda free ratio has either been normal or just above normal (between 1.06 - 2.28). I hope this helps.
Ron
What Dr. Libby describes is exactly my situation. I do not and never had, a measurable M Spike. Immunofixation has only shown a faint IGG Kappa band. Yet I was diagonosed with stage II multiple myeloma, since I had multiple lesions on my hips and right femur and was anemic (low red and white counts). They track me through the Free Light Chain Assay. Back in Feb of 2009, I had a Kappa Light Chain Reading of 95.8 (normal is 3.3-19.4) my Lambda Light Chain was below normal at 2.27 (normal is 5.71 - 26.3). The Kappa/Lambda free ratio was very high at 42.2 (normal is .26-1.65).
I have been on a combination therapy of VRD plus Aredia since my diagnosis. The Kappa band started falling almost immediately and I was in the normal range after 4 months of treatment and have maintained that normal range ever since. My last reading was 9.1, a major drop from 95.8 back in Feb of 2009. The Kappa/Lambda free ratio has either been normal or just above normal (between 1.06 - 2.28). I hope this helps.
Ron
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Anonymous
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1