I have been in complete remission for about 6 months. However, my most recent serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) test shows a new condition:
Hypogammaglobulinemia is present. No abnormal restricted bands detected.
What is hypogammaglobulinemia?
Is it something I should be worried about?
Forums
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Re: What is hypogammaglobulinemia?
Hi Sull51,
First off, I'm not a doc, so please check with yours.
Hypogammaglobulinemia is the suppression of one or more of one's normal immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM, etc) levels. It sometimes occurs in patients with multiple myeloma. Without normal, functioning levels of immunoglobulins, one tends to be more prone to infections.
Depending on the degree of hypogammaglobulinemia and how often you might be becoming ill of suffering side effects of having an impaired immune system, a doctor may or not decide to treat it. The most common treatment for hypogammaglobulinemia is to administer IVIG (intravenous gammaglobulin).
First off, I'm not a doc, so please check with yours.
Hypogammaglobulinemia is the suppression of one or more of one's normal immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM, etc) levels. It sometimes occurs in patients with multiple myeloma. Without normal, functioning levels of immunoglobulins, one tends to be more prone to infections.
Depending on the degree of hypogammaglobulinemia and how often you might be becoming ill of suffering side effects of having an impaired immune system, a doctor may or not decide to treat it. The most common treatment for hypogammaglobulinemia is to administer IVIG (intravenous gammaglobulin).
-
Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: What is hypogammaglobulinemia?
Sull51,
I had that very same thing show up on my lab tests. Been that way over a year. Multibilly is correct, it's from suppressed immunoglobulins. My IgG is 335, IgA is 27, and IgM is 12. Oddly enough, I'm never sick. I suspect, if you started getting sick a lot, your doctor would consider IVIG therapy. But if you feel fine, no worries. Just practice good hygiene, try to avoid door knobs, and wear a mask on planes.
I had that very same thing show up on my lab tests. Been that way over a year. Multibilly is correct, it's from suppressed immunoglobulins. My IgG is 335, IgA is 27, and IgM is 12. Oddly enough, I'm never sick. I suspect, if you started getting sick a lot, your doctor would consider IVIG therapy. But if you feel fine, no worries. Just practice good hygiene, try to avoid door knobs, and wear a mask on planes.
-
Janet1520
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1