[Halches]

What specific lab test designates M-spike?

by Halches on Sun Oct 25, 2015 5:59 pm

I still confused about which lab result signifies M-spike. Could someone clarify it for me?

[TerryH]

Re: What specific lab test designates M-spike?

by TerryH on Sun Oct 25, 2015 6:04 pm

The M-spike is reported in the "interpretation" or "comments" section of the serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), after the values for gamma globulin, beta globulin, albumin, etc.

It will be given in units of g/dL or mg/dL in the U.S. and g/L in most other countries, and will be described using language like "M-spike", "monoclonal protein", "monoclonal band", "para­protein", or "abnormal protein band."

See for example the SPEP results in this posting,

https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/anxious-lab-results-possible-multiple-myeloma-t6190.html

where the report indicates that no M-spike was found.

Here is another SPEP where two separate M-spikes were found and described in the interpretation section:

https://myelomabeacon.org/forum/understanding-spep-report-t5787.html