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urine immunnofixation electrophoresis

by bad blood on Tue Jan 08, 2013 3:23 pm

I had my yearly mgus work. They noted (Only albumin detected) in my urine electrophoresis. This was the first time I seen this reported on my labs. My m-spike remains the same. My high sensitivity CRP has increased again. (14.30 HH). My alkaline phos. remains elevated. I have some edema. Would my symptoms be from the albuminuria? Was told to further evaluated with your PCP to see how much albumin there actually is in the urine, since the test we do here justs shows that there is some albumin. Should I assume it was a temporary and wait till my Dec. 2013 mgus labs?

bad blood

Re: urine immunnofixation electrophoresis

by elizabeth104 on Tue Jan 08, 2013 5:27 pm

My UPEP always says, "Note: Albumin is the only protein detected."

I do not know what that means... would be interested to know!

elizabeth104
Name: Elizabeth
When were you/they diagnosed?: 25 MGUS, 28 SMM

Re: urine immunnofixation electrophoresis

by bad blood on Tue Jan 08, 2013 5:45 pm

I guess it means that normal protein is found, not monoclonal (Bence Jones). Can anyone tell me when I can hang up this stupid mgus testing when my m-spike has been stable for 6 years?
I am not interested in running this on going rat race testing anymore. Frankly, no one seems able to answer any of my abnormal lab questions.

bad blood

Re: urine immunnofixation electrophoresis

by Dianem on Wed Jan 09, 2013 12:51 pm

Hi bad blood - you asked when you can hang up on MGUS testing even though stable for 6 years. I was diagnosed with MGUS last winter and levels were the same this summer. My oncologist-hemo said for the rest of my life I will be tested every six months in order to monitor the spike. I met a neighbor who also has MGUS and she has been tested every 6 months for the past 5 years. We see the same doctor and were both told that 1 percent of those with MGUS progress to multiple myeloma each year and that is why the spike is monitored. My doctor told me if I live another 30 years, my lifetime risk of dev multiple myeloma during the next 30 years is 30 percent. This is based on the spike and chromosome type. Diane

Dianem

Re: urine immunnofixation electrophoresis

by bad blood on Wed Jan 09, 2013 1:41 pm

Thank you Diane,
I have known all of this years back. I am not planning on getting tested the rest of my life. I will surely die from the bleeding disorder associated with my mgus before the m-protein takes me down. The bleeding disorder has caused far more problems them the m-protein, thus far. Maybe they need to re-evaluate there mgus protocol. The odds of us progressing is so small, our chances of getting struck with lightening might be in the same ball park. One good blow to my head could kill me. I would take sides that we won't get multiple myeloma. They could test every 5 years and just make patients educated enough to follow up with PC with any new symptoms. You are fairly new to this. Don't let the mgus shape your world.

bad blood

Re: urine immunnofixation electrophoresis

by MrJoe on Wed Jan 09, 2013 2:44 pm

bad blood, I can understand not wanting to go in for testing twice year. But I'd at least have it tested once a year when you go in for your physical, and certainly if you have any of the signs of myeloma.
Live your day-to-day life as if you had never heard of MGUS. Don't waste any time worrying if or when you might progress. But get tested once or twice a year so that if you do progress, it can be caught early and treated.
There are a number of people on this site who were initially diagnosed with MGUS or smoldering myeloma. It can be a blessing and a curse. But think of it kind of like high blood pressure or pre-diabetes. It's a warning to get regular check-ups and to see your doctor if you have any of the signs of myeloma, heart disease, diabetes, etc. The only unfortunate thing about MGUS and myeloma is that you can't prevent progression with diet or behavioral modifications, that anyone knows of anyway.

MrJoe

Re: urine immunnofixation electrophoresis

by bad blood on Wed Jan 09, 2013 4:33 pm

MrJoe,
Heres the thing. Just hit the 7 year mark for mgus. Since then,( no disrespect to anyone). I have been symptomatic since the beginning. So, you go to GP. Then he sends you to oncol-hem. Then they run a battery of tests. So you get the results, all looks stable. So you ask about your abnormal labs & tests. Never once have a had a explanation for the abnormal labs & tests. Then they tell you to go to another doctor because they can't provide the answers. You end in a yo yo game. So after a multiple of doctors, multiple tests, multiple $$$. I am still sitting in the same boat where I started without even any relief of my symptoms. I know things could be alot worse. I am blessed. I just think they can come up with a better solution to monitor multiple myeloma & mgus. I also hope there will be a cure for all of you in the very near future.

bad blood

Re: urine immunnofixation electrophoresis

by Stan W. on Wed Jan 09, 2013 4:40 pm

Bad Blood,
To put your mind at rest, see a myeloma specialist. Not an oncologist that may have one or two myeloma patients.
Just my opinion.

Stan W.
Name: Stan
Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
When were you/they diagnosed?: SMM-April 2012
Age at diagnosis: 58

Re: urine immunnofixation electrophoresis

by Dr. Peter Voorhees on Mon Jan 14, 2013 6:36 am

Dear Bad Blood,

Albumin in the urine can be a sign of kidney injury from a variety of causes (even in the presence of a normal creatinine). And yes, albumin spillage in the urine can lead to fluid retention/edema. As such, it is worth quantifying how much protein is present in your urine. A 24-hour urine protein would help get at that issue. A urine protein to creatinine ratio assessed on a random urine sample can also provide a rough gauge of protein spillage in the urine. With respect to your MGUS, amyloidosis can cause kidney injury that leads to an excess of protein in the urine. Again, there are many diseases that can cause this kind of kidney injury. And, if the levels of albumin are trace, it may mean nothing. A 24-hour urine would be a good first place to start.

May I ask about the basis of your bleeding disorder. You mention it is related to the MGUS -- can you give me more specifics? Do you have a deficiency of any clotting factors?

Thanks!

Pete V.

Dr. Peter Voorhees
Name: Peter Voorhees, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor

Re: urine immunnofixation electrophoresis

by elizabeth104 on Mon Jan 14, 2013 7:58 am

Question:

For a 24 hour urine collection, if the reference range for total protein is <102 mg/24 hour and my total protein is 69 (within range) but it says, "Note: Albumin is the only protein detected." and it lists albumin at 100% - is that concerning for kidney damage?

Thanks so much,
Elizabeth

elizabeth104
Name: Elizabeth
When were you/they diagnosed?: 25 MGUS, 28 SMM

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