[Alico]

Urine test.

by Alico on Thu Jul 04, 2013 5:57 am

Hi... I,m new.. Not sure anyone can help me.. But as I had low white bloods... Platelets, neutrophils and very low lymphoctes .. My gastroenterologist who was looking after me for other reasons ordered some other blood tests which I don't know what they were and the 24 hour bence jones.
Unfortunately I managed to fill the containor after 12 hours and submitted that .
On seeing him next he scratched his head as no conclusions had been found .. And said he didn't understand it but left it at that. As we had other things to discuss I forgot to say I hadn't completed the 24 hour requirement .
Now of course I'm worried in case I have unwittingly messed up the test..
What I would like to know if anyone does know this please..
Is whether even 12 hours worth of urine would show bence jones or whether it was imperative to do the whole 24 hour lot.
As I am in uk on nhs we have not got open access to our consultants and my case was closed with him anyhow so no longer with him. My general practice doctor has never heard of the 24 hour test, and won't do it for me again.
This doctor did however do the para protein in the blood.. Electro thingy test, which was fine ie negative so she thinks job done.

I have read about free light chain blood tests but my gp won't do these either as its something the hospitals do.

Anyway if anyone can shed light on the 24 hour versus 12 hour and if I did have any free light chains would they have been found in 12 hour or is the way the test analysed in lab just geared for 24 hours. Or is the 24 hours just to gage the quantity.
Thanking everyone for help and advise.
Cheers
Alico

[Dr. Jason Valent]

Re: Urine test.

by Dr. Jason Valent on Fri Jul 05, 2013 10:21 am

Regarding the urine tests, the 12 hour collection should be plenty adequate to pick up on a monoclonal protein (bence jones) in the urine.

Good to hear the serum protein electrophoresis is normal. I do serum free light chains as part of the screeing for monoclonal gammopathy and it may be worthwhile to have this done.

With the low blood counts, you probably should see a hematologist for further evaluation. I recommend asking your doctor for a referral or just scheduling this yourself.