Diagnosed: MGUS

I didn't want to start a new thread for something similar to your post-so I apologize and don't mean to be "hijacking" your post. 🙂 What were your markers/blood levels /urine screening, etc. that resulted in a MGUS diagnosis? Currently working my way through some tests and such and sort of feel that may be the road we're heading down. Like others, it started with visits to the dr. for something else-my PCP referred me to a pulmonologist since I have had Covid 5 times and keep having low sats. CT of my chest showed micro-nodules and some inflammation. Sats drop occasionally to high 80s and upper 90s, but will then right themselves in a bit. I have had lots of fatigue and hip pain. Also frequent kidney stones. I've had iron deficiency anemia for over 15 years, and my latest tests show that my iron is 25, Transferrin sat is 5%, TIBC is high at 457, and ferritin is low at 10. (All typical for iron anemia.)
However, the latest batch of tests show a few oddities that make me wonder if MGUS is on the horizon:
A UPEP 24 hour urine showed my protein is 279, which if I am reading online correctly, is a bit high.
Albumin is low at 26.7% (From what I read, 50-60% of your urine protein should be from albumin?)
Beta Globulin is high at 33.2%, my IgA is 499 (but down from 537), my serum immunofixation electrophoresis showed an increase in the beta fraction with a beta globulin of 1.4 g/dl.
IgG subclass 3 is low at 14, my albumin is low at 3g/dl,
From what I've read a high IgA and low IgG3 can mean possible plasma cell or immune dysregulation.
With the beta globulin spike on urine electrophoresis and the moderate proteinuria, along with low albumin, along with the iron issues, elevated platelets, fatigue, etc. I am wondering if anyone else had similar issues?
I realize MGUS isn't cancer and just requires careful watching but I tend to worry less when I'm well informed. Thanks for any info, and well wishes to you all on your health journeys.

I didn't want to start a new thread for something similar to your post-so I apologize and don't mean to be "hijacking" your post. 🙂 What were your markers/blood levels /urine screening, etc. that resulted in a MGUS diagnosis? Currently working my way through some tests and such and sort of feel that may be the road we're heading down. Like others, it started with visits to the dr. for something else-my PCP referred me to a pulmonologist since I have had Covid 5 times and keep having low sats. CT of my chest showed micro-nodules and some inflammation. Sats drop occasionally to high 80s and upper 90s, but will then right themselves in a bit. I have had lots of fatigue and hip pain. Also frequent kidney stones. I've had iron deficiency anemia for over 15 years, and my latest tests show that my iron is 25, Transferrin sat is 5%, TIBC is high at 457, and ferritin is low at 10. (All typical for iron anemia.)
However, the latest batch of tests show a few oddities that make me wonder if MGUS is on the horizon:
A UPEP 24 hour urine showed my protein is 279, which if I am reading online correctly, is a bit high.
Albumin is low at 26.7% (From what I read, 50-60% of your urine protein should be from albumin?)
Beta Globulin is high at 33.2%, my IgA is 499 (but down from 537), my serum immunofixation electrophoresis showed an increase in the beta fraction with a beta globulin of 1.4 g/dl.
IgG subclass 3 is low at 14, my albumin is low at 3g/dl,
From what I've read a high IgA and low IgG3 can mean possible plasma cell or immune dysregulation.
With the beta globulin spike on urine electrophoresis and the moderate proteinuria, along with low albumin, along with the iron issues, elevated platelets, fatigue, etc. I am wondering if anyone else had similar issues?
I realize MGUS isn't cancer and just requires careful watching but I tend to worry less when I'm well informed. Thanks for any info, and well wishes to you all on your health journeys.

@lbhayes
Welcome to the Mayo Clinic Connect.
It certainly a chicken or egg situation to contemplate. There is a MGRS. I suspect the renal significance is when they can connect the dots between the M paraprotein and renal decline. I will post some information about it for you. It’s not easily available to me at this moment but I can remedy that in a few minutes.
Generally speaking, the hematologist/oncologist will do a whole body scan to look for bone lesions on a regular basis. If you have questions about bone pain or you are worried about progression, I would talk to your physician and certainly not wait for a year. I don’t know about you, but I always forget my questions when I go to see my doctor. I have begun to write them down in a notebook that I carry with me when I go for my doctors appointments.
If you feel dissatisfied with your medical care, you can always get a second opinion. This is a complicated blood disorder and you’re right to ask all your questions and ensure that your physician is able to connect all the dots between your symptoms and their etiology.
I’m sure some of your questions will be answered when you see your nephrologist.
Many of us have coexisting conditions that don’t have anything to do with MGUS. But the MGUS can certainly complicate things and the connection, or lack there of, has to be ruled out.
I have learned how to advocate for my health care. I have learned to be the squeaky wheel, but not alienate my treatment team. I look at my PCP and those specialist that I see as partners with me in deciding what is right for me treatment wise. I listen to them carefully, I ask lots of questions and I do my own research if it’s something I’m concerned about.
It’s also really nice to be connected through this forum as there are many people here who have already gone down the path that I am traveling and have good practical counsel for me. I was diagnosed with MGUS only three years ago and there are people “here” who have been living with MGUS successfully for well over a decade.
I’m really glad you found us. Do you feel comfortable in calling your doctor and asking for a telehealth appointment or a phone call so you can ask all your questions? If so, would you let me know how that goes for you? I’d also like to know what your nephrologist has to say if you’re comfortable with sharing that information.

Hi I was diagnosed with MGUS last year by my neurologist. He sent me to my hematologist. He was checking my blood every 4 months and now when he checked it in Jan, everything was quite normal. He said he didn’t need to see me till next year.
I have been overweight and wanted to drop some weight. I went on Waygovy in February. I was losing weight and then began to experience frequent constipation and diarrhea. I stayed on it for a few months lost 14 lbs. I wound up with a flu and then the night sweats started. I went off Waygovy 2 months ago. I feel a lot better off it.
No more diarrhea. But I did notice I have a lot of back ache in my lumbar and upper back. Also every night now I wake up around 4am with a fast beating heart. I think the Waygovy brought on Amyloidois. I reached out to my Dr and he is on vacation so I went to another Dr to get some blood tests. My light free chain is elevated. I really hope I didn’t fast foward this blood disease with the Waygovy.

I don’t think there is any connection. I saw a recent study out of Dana Farber and Irene Ghobriel where that drug or a similar one turned out to be protective in MGUS patients.
There are many possible reasons your FLC may have gone up including an infection or other inflammatory cause.
The same is true for your back and heart rate. Don’t borrow “trouble.” But it is smart to get everything checked out thoroughly so you feel more relaxed.
I have had MGUS for 23 years and it has been a roller coaster ride. I have a different hematologist now and his “calmness” makes a difference.
Best wishes! You may never progress!

Hi I was diagnosed with MGUS last year by my neurologist. He sent me to my hematologist. He was checking my blood every 4 months and now when he checked it in Jan, everything was quite normal. He said he didn’t need to see me till next year.
I have been overweight and wanted to drop some weight. I went on Waygovy in February. I was losing weight and then began to experience frequent constipation and diarrhea. I stayed on it for a few months lost 14 lbs. I wound up with a flu and then the night sweats started. I went off Waygovy 2 months ago. I feel a lot better off it.
No more diarrhea. But I did notice I have a lot of back ache in my lumbar and upper back. Also every night now I wake up around 4am with a fast beating heart. I think the Waygovy brought on Amyloidois. I reached out to my Dr and he is on vacation so I went to another Dr to get some blood tests. My light free chain is elevated. I really hope I didn’t fast foward this blood disease with the Waygovy.

Have you had a bone marrow biopsy done? I have had Primary Amyloidosis for 3 years. It was not detected in any blood tests. I was anemic and bleeding and bruising easily, so my hemotologist did a bone marrow biopsy and that is where the Amyloidosis was detected.
It's been a roller coaster ride, but I am alive and have good quality of life. Best wishes to you. Please don't let the Amyloidosis go untreated.

No, I have not had a bone marrow biopsy. I have been going to all kinds of Dr’s. My liver enzymes, AST, bilirubin, ALT have all come back abnormal. I’m having a CAT on my liver. I’m not going to let this go untreated. I really feel it is Amyloidosis. I’ll get to the bottom of this. Thank you for responding to me.