Kappa/lambda results normal but ratio high
My kappa/lambda results were normal but the ratio was high. I have had several issues for over a year now and no one can tell me a diagnosis yet. Along with the above blood test in the past year my creatine level has been high,my lymphocytes are high off and on with no illness to associate with it and rbc's normal. I lost 70 lbs within 3 months and was not trying to,my hair started falling out. I have numbness and tingling in my hands,finger and now toes. Along with heart issues. I am worried that I might have multiple myeloma? Any advice?
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I don’t think anyone on here would have any idea- only following up with your doctor who ordered those tests.
What have they said they are considering as possible diagnoses, or perhaps trying to rule out?
I can hear your frustration and anxiety- it’s so hard to be where you know something is wrong but not yet have a name for it.
Do you have a doctor you are feeling confident about?
Can you request a second opinion?
Have you seen a hematologist for evaluation of your blood lab results? Have you seen a cardiologist for heart problems?
@tlh2 welcome to Connect. I’d like to echo the counsel of members who have already responded. Have your docs done any follow up on your significant weight loss and other symptoms?
It’s important that you get good information from your physician and hopefully you are seeing a hematologist/oncologist who can accurately diagnose that’s going on. Your other symptoms may have nothing to do with your ratio and you will require a multidisciplinary workup. So often when there are diverse symptoms, it’s a series of “ruling out” one thing or another until a diagnosis “hits.” It’s frustrating to have to wait for that but it’s important that you get the ball rolling. If your current physician doesn’t seem inclined you might consider a second opinion or even changing doctors.
Sadly, every patient has to advocate for their own healthcare. It can be a bit intimidating because doctors are so well respected in our culture. As a patient, we have to get over the idea that we cannot challenge them if we are not getting what we need. We can do it nicely, and I recommend that we do, but nevertheless, we have to be diligent in promoting our own self interest in the healthcare arena.
If you’ve asked for answers to your questions that you listed in your post of your physician and they have not been answered then take another run at it. Doctors are busy people and you have to be the squeaky wheel. So many of the forum members have been warriors in advocating for their own healthcare needs. we can be here for you with empathic support.
Do you have an appointment scheduled with her doctor in the near future? If not, a phone call or telemedicine appointment might be the next best thing.
Please let me know how this goes for you and what you find out.
Good Afternoon Patty, yes ma'am I have been dealing with this issue since the end of 2021 with NO resolve. I have been sent to multiple Dr's in the area were I live and 1 time even to UAB but that was only for an gastroligist and she couldn't do anything because of the meds that the Dr's here have given me.Due to the fact that the medication slows my stomach emzems down..I was sent to a hemotologest and when I got there I didn't even see the Dr. it was a nurse practioner that looked at me and asked what I was even doing there and when asked I responded with the bloodwork that my rhyromtologists order and it showed abnormal results with the multiple myeloma and my whites cell count. They didn't even have the paper work from the referral. Smh. Now I feel like I'm going in circles with these Dr's.
I have several Dr's and the one that ordered the test said that it was beyond his purview and I responded we why did you order it? The Dr's here in my area seems to only care about 1 thing and that's how many times they can get you in to charge you and your insurance.
@tlh2 That must be terribly frustrating. Your proximity to the UAB system is a plus if you can gain entry through an appropriate referral. The advantage is that all the specialty areas share records and often work closely with one another. One stop shopping. The down side is that the bigger the system the logistics get more complicated.
As a non medical person, I have no idea where to start but you need a definitive diagnosis. It would seem reasonable to see a hematologist/oncologist, a cardiologist and gastroenterologist for a start. A competent PCP should manage the referrals and ensure that the referrals receive adequate information.
I might be inclined at this point to start there and find a good internist for primary care. I don’t know your age, but often excellent diagnosticians hide in geriatric clinics. These clinics usually serve ages 55 and older. I’m sure that UAB has a similar clinic. The older we get, the more complicated our health becomes.
I don’t think that your challenge will be resolved quickly, but I encourage you to not allow the ball to get dropped.