I just had my M-spike measured at a different lab / doctor and now it's 0.76 instead of 1.1 / 0.9 / 1.0.
I know it can change, but I didn't know it could go that much lower (that's a 25% difference, so it is significant). Frankly, it makes me a little more relieved, but I'm wondering if any other MGUS / smoldering myeloma folks have had this happen? And is it just a vagary of paraproteins?
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Toni - Name: Toni
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self - MGUS
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: New M-spike result, is lower than before
That's good news, Toni! Mine went down as well, from 0.30 to 0.18. Let's hope the trend continues for both of us. 
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NC Deb - Name: NC Deb
- When were you/they diagnosed?: January 2014 MGUS
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: New M-spike result, is lower than before
That would be nice, wouldn't it?
I am still due to have a bone marrow biopsy in a week. This gives me more confidence that diagnosis will be confirmed as MGUS.
I am still due to have a bone marrow biopsy in a week. This gives me more confidence that diagnosis will be confirmed as MGUS.
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Toni - Name: Toni
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self - MGUS
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: New M-spike result, is lower than before
Hey Toni,
First, it's great that your M-spike moved lower!
But you should keep a couple of things in mind:
1. Using different laboratories will produce different results using the exact same blood sample. The labs can use different lab instruments and there is a also a bit of human error that enters into the SPEP measurement, depending on how the lab does the measurement.
2. An M-spike will obviously vary over time. While you are right that a 25% movement seems significant, it's not that big of a movement in absolute terms (0.24 g/dL).
3. My local onc also said that he tends to see more M-spike variations with his MGUS patients than with other stages of multiple myeloma (but I never quizzed him on why this is). He also may have just said that to make me feel good on a particular day
So, I'm not trying to throw a wet towel on this result. But remember that it is comforting to keep this stuff in mind should your M-spike increase on your next test (i.e. don't worry if the next test comes back as 0.95 g/dL, which would also be a 25% movement). You'll get more used to these kinds of movements as you get more test results over time.
Enjoy da weekend!
First, it's great that your M-spike moved lower!
But you should keep a couple of things in mind:
1. Using different laboratories will produce different results using the exact same blood sample. The labs can use different lab instruments and there is a also a bit of human error that enters into the SPEP measurement, depending on how the lab does the measurement.
2. An M-spike will obviously vary over time. While you are right that a 25% movement seems significant, it's not that big of a movement in absolute terms (0.24 g/dL).
3. My local onc also said that he tends to see more M-spike variations with his MGUS patients than with other stages of multiple myeloma (but I never quizzed him on why this is). He also may have just said that to make me feel good on a particular day
So, I'm not trying to throw a wet towel on this result. But remember that it is comforting to keep this stuff in mind should your M-spike increase on your next test (i.e. don't worry if the next test comes back as 0.95 g/dL, which would also be a 25% movement). You'll get more used to these kinds of movements as you get more test results over time.
Enjoy da weekend!
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: New M-spike result, is lower than before
Dear Toni,
Mulltibilly is spot on. The difference could be readily explained by a change in the lab. Additionally, there can be some degree of variability within the same lab as well, depending on what fraction of the SPEP your "M spike" migrates. (Sorry for the technical jargon.)
The bottom line is that you are at a minimum stable, which is great news!.
The important thing to take home is that it is best to compare apples to apples (results from the same lab). Also, given the fallibility of these tests, always repeat a result that has changed in any meaningful way,
Take care!
Pete
Mulltibilly is spot on. The difference could be readily explained by a change in the lab. Additionally, there can be some degree of variability within the same lab as well, depending on what fraction of the SPEP your "M spike" migrates. (Sorry for the technical jargon.)
The bottom line is that you are at a minimum stable, which is great news!.
The important thing to take home is that it is best to compare apples to apples (results from the same lab). Also, given the fallibility of these tests, always repeat a result that has changed in any meaningful way,
Take care!
Pete
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Dr. Peter Voorhees - Name: Peter Voorhees, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: New M-spike result, is lower than before
Thank you all!
I just can't seem to stop myself from obsessing! UGH! I was fine the first three months and now I find myself perusing the internet for every tiny hiccup in my labs. How do you stop?
I rest frequently because of the fibromyalgia so what do I do but pick up the laptop. I have to say, I'm learning so much about our immune system and blood make up though. I never understood it, now it's starting to sink in.
Well, my BMB is this Friday so maybe I'll get less goofy after I get the results. 5%, right?
I just can't seem to stop myself from obsessing! UGH! I was fine the first three months and now I find myself perusing the internet for every tiny hiccup in my labs. How do you stop?
I rest frequently because of the fibromyalgia so what do I do but pick up the laptop. I have to say, I'm learning so much about our immune system and blood make up though. I never understood it, now it's starting to sink in.
Well, my BMB is this Friday so maybe I'll get less goofy after I get the results. 5%, right?
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Toni - Name: Toni
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self - MGUS
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: New M-spike result, is lower than before
Hi Toni - when I was diagnosed in the fall of 2011, my spike was initially 1 g/dL. It took weeks to see an oncologist and she did another set of blood tests that showed a spike of 1.5, which validated a BMB since I was considered 'intermediate risk.'
Following the BMB, the oncologist said IgG spikes can vary / blood test and important to use the same labs.
Now, my spike is 0.8 and unclear if I'm still considered intermediate risk. This will be a good question to ask my doctor next time.
Good luck on Friday.
Following the BMB, the oncologist said IgG spikes can vary / blood test and important to use the same labs.
Now, my spike is 0.8 and unclear if I'm still considered intermediate risk. This will be a good question to ask my doctor next time.
Good luck on Friday.
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Dianem
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