[sharples74]

Test results - what should we be looking for?

by sharples74 on Thu Feb 20, 2014 2:45 pm

Need some help ... got a copy of the test results but don't know what the numbers mean.

RBC is 4.31
Hemoglobin is 12.8
Hematocrit is 38.5
RDW is 11.7

Segmented neutrophils is 78
Lymphocytes is 13

Creatinine is <0.1

Gamma Globulin/serum is 1.9
Lambda light chains is 282.89
Kappa-Lambda ratio is 0.06
IGG is 2086

All the other numbers on the results are within range. Is there anything specific we should be looking for?

We are being treated by a multiple myeloma specialist but he is a doctor of very little words.

Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

[Dr. Edward Libby]

Re: Test results - what should we be looking for?

by Dr. Edward Libby on Sat Feb 22, 2014 7:06 pm

Hello,

It is impossible to completely answer your question without more information regarding where the patient is in terms of their treatment. Are these numbers before of after treatment after treatment ? How much treatment ?....etc. It is very valuable for myeloma patients to have an understanding of their blood tests as these are gnerally the best way to see how the disease is doing.

Keys things to ask your oncologist whenever you see him/her are what is your "M-spike". The M-spike generally correlates well with whether the myeloma is disappearing, stable or getting worse.

There are two main tests uses for the "M-Spike". The units for the free light chain test are important because not all laboratories use the same units. Without units for the free light chains it is a guess as to how elevated they are.

#1. Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) or total protein levels
Your total IgG is elevated. IgG is 2086 and the normal range is 700–1600 mg/dl . This suggests that the myeloma is measurable.

#2. Serum free light chains (FLC)
Your free light chain results are elevated Lambda light chains is 282.89 Kappa-Lambda ratio is 0.06, which suggests that myeloma is present.

I encourage you to seek out the numerous resources available to understand your lab testing.
One of these is available on the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society website at

http://www.lls.org/#/resourcecenter/freeeducationmaterials/treatment/labandimagingtests

Another is on the International Myeloma Foundation website at:
http://myeloma.org/pdfs/Patient_Handbook_2013.pdf

Thank you for coming to the Beacon with your questions!

[sharples74]

Re: Test results - what should we be looking for?

by sharples74 on Sun Feb 23, 2014 9:48 pm

Thanks for your response.

My husband has had 8 treatments of Velcade. However the treatment was stopped due to the severe neuropathy in his feet and hands. We knew there was a risk for the neuropathy when we started the treatment. Please note, his overall health is not good has he had a major stroke in January of 2011. The stroke left him in a wheel chair and he has a feeding tube. He was getting much better from the stroke, was walking with a walker and eating more pudding consistency foods. However he started having difficulties walking due to weakness and that was when he was admitted to the hospital thinking he had GBS but after test was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

This was a total shock to us -- after surviving from a major stroke, then, wham, hit with this.

The oncologist told us at our last visit that we needed to consider the quality of life versus more treatment, therefore treatment has been stopped. He also mentioned that we should consider hospice care. Another surprise to us.

How aggressive is this disease? The doctor stated that there was low, medium and high range in regards to where is he was when diagnosed. He was medium. However he stated that once the disease began to progress that it normally progressed very quickly.

I appreciate this forum so much. I have learned so much just by reading notes posted by others.

Thanks again,
Judy