multiple myeloma

[LisaMS]

I just had a recent blood test that showed my total blood protein was high, it was 8.7. My anion gap was low it was 4. Every other test was in the normal ranges, this included c-reactive protein, ana, ESR...... My calcium was 9.6. The doctor has now tested me for multiple myeloma by doing a spep. I am scared, I am only 31years old. Has anyone been diagnosed with myeloma, and what where your total blood protein levels?

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  Multiple myeloma is not diagnosed based on the total blood protein level, so a level of 8.7 does not in any way signify the presence or absence of myeloma.  This disease is diagnosed based on:

1) The appearance of an excessive amount of a particular protein (M protein), which shows up as a "spike" on serum electrophoresis (SPEP) or,

2) The appearance of an excessive number of plasma cells in the bone marrow (this is tested through bone marrow biopsy).  Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell which produce antibodies.  Multiple myeloma is actually a malignancy of plasma cells.  

The test results you have had so far are all non-specific.  I think your doctor is just doing a SPEP just to make sure it's not anything serious.  What you have to remember is that multiple myeloma is a very uncommon disease, and your blood tests results are more likely due to some other more common condition.

[LisaMS]

Thank you so much for your response. That makes me feel alot better.

[greeks]

My internal medicine MD called me and report my total protein level is 9. She wants me come in in a month to re-test. What does this mean?

[LisaMS]

Hi! I was so worried because my total protein level was 8.7. The doctor also wanted me to retest. When I went in, the doctor did a full protein panel (SPEP is what it was called) and everything was normal. I was told protein can be elevated if the elastic band they use to take the blood is to tight or the body is fighting an infection. I would not worry, some labs list that the normal range for total protein is 9 or under.

[corky13]

Hi. I recently had a large number of blood test done. These tests included the quantitive immunoglobulin and Serum Protein Electrophoresis. The results indicated that I had a low IgM level at 37, but the serum protein electrophoresis had all normal values and the electrophoresis pattern was normal. Should I be concerned about the low IgM level or is the serum protein electrophoresis the better test. I am worried about multiple myeloma. I looked up information in regards to a low IgM level and it states that this can be caused by multiple myeloma. I also recently had an mri for lower back pain witch indicated a protruding disc. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[tuckie]

my dr is testing me for something all he would say was that he was testing my bones and doing an xray for gallbladder  he has written down on xray  elevated alp in isolation of transaminasies and r/o bilinary tree obstruction  for the blood work he has down spep/calcium and in bio chemistry an albumin test
what is he looking for???