[sbd1984]

Re: Abnormal SPE results - 2 abnormal protein bands

by sbd1984 on Sun Nov 06, 2016 6:25 am

Ok, I looked and I was wrong about needing to go to Tucson. There is one in Scottsdale, which is a suburb of Phoenix.

[Multibilly]

Re: Abnormal SPE results - 2 abnormal protein bands

by Multibilly on Sun Nov 06, 2016 3:55 pm

The Mayo in Scottsdale is listed below the facility in Tuscon in the above link:

Mayo Clinic Cancer Center-Scottsdale

Samuel C. Johnson Medical Research Center
13400 East Shea Boulevard
Scottsdale, AZ 85259
480-301-8000 (Main)
800-446-2279 (Appointments)

General Website
http://www.mayoclinic.org/scottsdale/

Multiple Myeloma Specific
http://www.mayoclinic.org/multiple-myeloma/

[sbd1984]

Re: Abnormal SPE results - 2 abnormal protein bands

by sbd1984 on Thu Nov 10, 2016 9:18 am

Unfortunately, this still is dragging on. To go to Mayo or anywhere else, I have to get a referral from my primary. But my primary is an NP who really doesn't seem to know what he is doing. Sadly, the more I read, the more I realize how many of my symptoms fit with myeloma, but because they also fit with these other issues, I still need these tests.

This doctor's office drags everything out. He scheduled me for an appointment in February despite my concerns about the doctor from the hospital insisting on these follow-up labs. I just got a call back from the nurse who said my last labs looked great. I have the labs in front of me and they aren't great. Ugh.

I will continue to keep everyone updated.

[Multibilly]

Re: Abnormal SPE results - 2 abnormal protein bands

by Multibilly on Thu Nov 10, 2016 9:58 am

Why don't you switch to a different primary care physician? I believe most insurance policies allow you to change your primary care physician at any time during the year if you are dis­satis­fied with your current doctor for any reason. You might want to also consider utilizing an internist as your primary care physician, if you are aren't already.

[sbd1984]

Re: Abnormal SPE results - 2 abnormal protein bands

by sbd1984 on Thu Dec 01, 2016 5:58 am

Ok, I have an update. Since my primary nurse practitioner refused to do anything, I finally got in to see a new primary physician at a new office. He is now ordering an immunofixation electro­phoresis and a beta-2 microglobulin test.

[sbd1984]

Re: Abnormal SPE results - 2 abnormal protein bands

by sbd1984 on Thu Dec 01, 2016 9:49 pm

Can someone explain why a beta-2 microglobulin test would be ordered? And is that different than what the SPE beta-2 portion tests for? The SPE test as previously mentioned had a spike in the gamma region and another spike in the beta-2 region.

[Multibilly]

Re: Abnormal SPE results - 2 abnormal protein bands

by Multibilly on Fri Dec 02, 2016 8:06 am

Beta2 microglobulin (B2M) is used as a maker for determining tumor burden in blood cancers. It's useful for initial prognostic purposes, ISS myeloma staging and to see how folks are responding to treatment.

B2M shouldn't be confused at all with the beta2 value you see on an SPEP. There is no correlation between the two numbers.

[sbd1984]

Re: Abnormal SPE results - 2 abnormal protein bands

by sbd1984 on Fri Dec 02, 2016 4:22 pm

Thanks Multibilly. It sounds like this doctor already suspects it then. This will be an interesting yet painful journey I'm likely to embark on soon. Now I just have to wait and see how these tests come back and where I go from here.

[sbd1984]

Re: Abnormal SPE results - 2 abnormal protein bands

by sbd1984 on Wed Dec 07, 2016 10:56 am

Ok. I got labs back. Some of the usual tests showed improvement (i.e. on the CBC and CMP labs). However some values were abnormal like the protein being high and the calcium right at the upper end of normal range. ESR was high but not as high as it was.

The immunofixation test showed that

IgG was 2229 with a range of 694-1618.
IgA was 1010 with a range of 81 to 463.

The interpretation said there was a polyclonal increase of IgG and IgA, but that it was negative for monoclonal gammopathy.

The beta-2 microglobulin test was 3.6 with a range of less than or equal to 2.2.

I currently have a follow up appointment with this new doctor on December 14th.

Thoughts?