Bloodwork, Iga And Reading Lab Reports, Etc.

On 5/8/2008 DebJr wrote:

Hi all. Was wondering if anyone could help me a bit with translating CBC lab reports and answer a question about MM - IGA. My father has Multiple Myeloma, IGA. Stage III with bone involvement, currently under treatment for 6 months now, and the cancer still stable/responding to the treatments. Regarding IGA, the normal range is anywhere from 70 to 400. When he walked in the door upon diagnosis in Nov. 2007, he was 3400!

After he started treatments, it declined to the following:

December - 410 (a giant improvement)

Jan/February - 119

March - 105

April/May - 118

My first question is, should there be any concern that the IGA has gone up a little (13 points) since last month?  I was hoping to see it 'decrease' even more... like under a 100, but no such luck. They seem to think he's doing well and said he's continuing to 'maintain' -- but i have never heard the word 'remission' - like some people on this board have. Would that mean that one's IGA would have to go -under- 70 to do so? Currently, he is just starting his 4th cycle of Velcade. (initially, he got it twice a week, but it was a little too much for him - so now he gets it once a week).

Also, as far as reading his lab/blood work - i am kind of clueless compared to everyone on this board. This is his latest, which i'm wondering if anyone could help 'translate' or just tell me what the important things are that i should keep track of:

ALBUMIN (SPEP) 3.35

ALPHA-1-GLOB (SPEP) 0.23

ALPHA-2-GLOB (SPEP) 1.06

BETA GLOB (SPEP) 0.84

GAMMA GLOB. (SPEP) 0.72

M SPIKE  - is 'blank'... then says 0.06 HI  - NOT DETECTED

IGA, SERUM 118

IGG, SERUM  is 'blank'... then says 561 LO

IGM, SERUM 100

With notes at bottom....

Serum protein electrophoreses pattern interpretation: *** weak band in the gamma region which may be a paraprotein peak***

And also - IMMUNOFIXATION, SERUM - Faint IGG Lambda Paraprotein Peak Detected.

On page 2 - chemistry.... the following:

Total Protein 6.2,  Albumin 4.1, Globulin 2.1, Sodium 136, Potassium 4.1, Chloride 97, BUN 15, Creatinine 0.7, BUN/Creat Ratio 21.4, Calcium 8.9, Bilirubin, Total 1.1 (says HI), Alk Phos 87, AST (SGOT) 20, ALT (SGPT) 13. 

Any help or slight translations would be very much appreciated. Thank you!

Hi DebJr,

I, too, had problems sorting out the blood work and what it means.  I went to the Caring4Cancer web site and it explained all of the blood work that was being done and why they do it.  The CBC printed off all at once, but I had to click on each item in the comprehensive metabolic panel to get them to print out.  I carry it with me all the time, so that I can look things up.  Also, Lab Tests Online has an explaination of IgG, IgA, & IgM plus other tests, under multiple myeloma laboratory tests.  Hope this helps.

Jan