[Bootsie334]

Scared

by Bootsie334 on Tue Sep 25, 2012 11:25 pm

Hello, I'm here to see if you all can help me. My dad had multiple myeloma and since some experts are saying it is hereditary I asked to be screened. I am a31 yr old female. Well I received my results and everything was fine except my mch was 34.3 and protein band 1 was .3. It also stated no monoclonal protein detected. My pcp said I was fine and move along but I wanted to know why something was abnormal so I called a hematologist oncologist. I found a nice one that is just looking at my labs to direct me in the right path. They called today and said that I need more tests. I'm not sure what kind of test just more. I'm freaking out do my numbers sound like multiple myeloma?? Please help thanks

[Kevin J]

Re: Scared

by Kevin J on Thu Sep 27, 2012 10:47 am

Bootsie334,
First of all, the cause of multiple myeloma is not known. There is evidence to suggest that both genetic and environment factors play a role in developing it. Researchers have found that if you have a relative with multiple myeloma, the chance of you getting multiple myeloma increases, but this is only about a 4% increase over anyone else getting multiple myeloma – not a very significant increase.

I cannot provide any feedback regarding MCH. However, with respect to the protein band 1 level of .3, this should not be related to multiple myeloma. Proteins in blood have different sizes and electrical characteristics, and electrophoresis separates the proteins into one of five bands:

1. serum albumin
2. alpha-1 globulins
3. alpha-2 globulins
4. beta globulins
5. gamma globulins

The immunoglobulins (IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM) are the only proteins that separate into the
gamma region, so multiple myeloma is detected in band 5.