Kappa light chains: What does this mean?

Posted by ryder23 @ryder23, Nov 4 12:03pm

I have iron deficiency anemia. CBC ordered by my hematologist. Bloodwork shows high kappa light chains (26.1) but no other proteins or m protein. This is all new to me. Any help appreciated. Normal kappa/lamda ratio

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@doomed67

I'm a 57 year old male. My Kappa Free Light Chain is 2.4, the Ratio is 1.74 and my Iron is High 453. Should I be overly concerned?

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I'm 70 and my Kappa is about 300 and Kappa/Lambda is 29. Still in the asymptomatic MGUS range (8 years). Risk of MGUS progressing to multiple myeloma is ~1% each year. Some folk evaluate their lives when smacked with possibilities, more exercise, healthier eating, less stress and such, but MGUS is a waiting game. Regarding high iron, it depends on if it is ferritin or heme. Heme iron builds up in organs, such as the liver, and can cause damage through time. It can be caused by various things, including some meds that are metabolized by liver and if someone has hemochromatosis (a genetic test would show this). Iron levels can be brought down by donating blood or medical (chelation...) and diet changes. Causes for high ferritin (blood) should also be tracked down because it can be impacted by numerous factors, such as diseases, inflammation, genetics, diet, and medicines. Here is a link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7556674/#:~:text=In%20men%2C%20higher%20heme%20iron,independent%20of%20heme%20iron%20intake.

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