new blood test result questions

Hello Everyone

      Hope everyone is feeling well. I have a few blood work questions that I can't seem to understand. I am the one with mgus/acquired von willebrand and 8% factor VIII.  My GP order a few tests for me so that I did not have to go to hemo doctor. They did total protein/protein electrophoresis ....

ALBUMIN 4.4, ALPHA-1 0.3, ALPHA-2 0.7, BETA GLOBULINS 1.0 GAMMA 0.7   ABNORMAL PROTEIN 0.2

INTERPRETATION...monoclonal band present in distal gamma region. suggest serum free kappa/lambda chains and serum immunofixation. The remaining gamma globulins are decreased.

IMMUNOGLOBULINS

immunoglobulins A 148 (81-463)

immunoglobulins G  874 (694-1618)

immunoglobulins M 79   (48-271)  

Only thing elevated is my alkaline phosphatase...

Does this mean my mgus is decreasing or does this explain my infections? Nurse just said doctor would like appointment to talk about tests. But, everything seems stable. What do all of you experts think?

                     Thanks Majolica

I'm no expert, but I don't see how anyone can find a correlation between those blood results and infections.   Everything you posted looks fine to me or sounds relative to MGUS.  If I'm reading the "impression" right, a faint monoclonal band was present and it was suggested a FLC Assay be conducted...right?  So, I'm assuming your doc will order a FLC Assay.  If you're a light chain only type like me, the IgA, IgG, IgM mean nothing....other than the strength of your immune system.  And again, those numbers look fine to me. 

Best of luck

Doug

Hi Doug,

      Thanks for your comments.  No, my GP did not order those other tests.

I do have IgG lambda mgus, is those other tests needed to get get more info? What did they mean the other gammaglobulins are decreased? I had a CBC done and a ferritin test with the total protein electrophoresis. My m-protein has been low since the diagnoses 3 1/2 years ago. I have alot of memory problems on top of all the other symptoms. Its chemo brain without the chemo, developed it with all the other symptoms . My blood has always given off wrong red, white & platelets cell blood tests due from the acquired bleeding condition. I bled for 2 days from my first BMB, but that would give more info to whats going on. Only had it done 3 1/2 years ago. I am sick of my bones hurting so bad!!

                                Thanks Majolica

Hello Doug Again,

           I was looking back in my labs and they always just done the protein electrophoresis to check to see if the m-protein was increasing. Just once did I see they did Free KAPPA.  I know I have had problems when they did not quanitify the globulins  . Does my mgus require different tests?

                                     Thanks and best to you

I wouldn't say MGUS requires different tests, but in your case, I think your GP should be ordering the other two tests suggested by the lab.  Otherwise, how does he/she know if your Lambda is in check?  Since I'm not a doc, I have no idea had he/she would know.

I believe the monoclonal band found is simply confirming that you have MGUS.  Your IgG is obviously not high.  Odds are, your Lambda isn't high either. 

It sure sounds like you're doing good.  I'm not sure if any of the symptoms you're discribing are related to your MGUS.  IF you didn't have MGUS, but still had the pain you're feeling, what would you suspect is causing it? 

I hope you find your answers. 

Doug

Hello Doug,

          I hope you have been feeling well.  I have always ate well and I do try to walk 2 miles about 3 days a week.  My bone pain, well I guess there is no simple answers. I have many symptoms....who knows which goes with the mgus or the acquired von willebrand.  Do you have MM or mgus? Memory problems stink!  I also have breathing problems, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, weakness...hard to climb stairs sometimes. My one leg , upper arm and back have the bone pain. It feels like deep bone pain. like  a animal chewed on my bone. When they did xrays a couple of years ago I do have osteopenia, don't think the pain should be from that. Do to my budget, I have to hold off on any more tests for now. Well, thanks again for the replys, and hope you are doing well.  

                           Majolica

I have MM and went through the tandem transplant process.  I can relate to some of those pains you're discribing.  I also have a very difficult time figuring out what is causing the pain.  I've come to the conclusion most of the pain is due to muscle loss as a result of dex use and inactivity during treatment.  Dex hits the load bearing muscles hard...they're the first to go.  I believe, not having those muscles causes stress on the bones since the muscle isn't there to support them.  I also believe this causes a distortion of sort which adds stress to joints and nerves since the bone are no longer aligned as they would otherwise be.  Anyway, that's my theory.  I'm back to do some strength training and I'll let you know how it all works out  ;-)  I'm sorry at times you feel so bad....it's tough I know.  As for your blood work and testing, I would take some comfort in knowing at least your IgG is in good shape.  If I were a betting man, I'd say your Lambda is sitting pretty as well...but without a test, we don't know for sure.  Your blood work looked really good to this boy sitting up high in the cheap seats.

Keep that fighting spirit...I can see you have it

Be safe

Doug

Hello Doug,

            I am so happy you are doing well after your transplant.  That seems very scary to go through.  You said you think some of your pain is from the DEX. Did you have bone pain before that?  I am not on any medication for my mgus.  Its the bleeding condition that worries the doctors. My clotting factors are so low they kept running the tests over and over, sure enough...no clotting factors! I am sure some of the symptoms could be from that.  I get a hematoma from a slight bump. Well, again thanks and glad to hear your holding your own. 

                        Majolica