High protein in urine, unsure of the results

Haven't had that procedure brought up as yet, glad to see these posts, so we will have an idea what
a bone marrow biopsy is, and not being so stressed if this is a procedure might husband may need in the future.
Thank you for your explanations.

Thank you so much for your information. You make me feel much better.
Question- Why do you have to keep having the test over again? Does the results change? My thought was if the levels keep climbing upward then have it done. I did not realize you have to have done so many times.

Hi @mandm4evers, I wasn’t sure if you’re responding to @gingerw or my reply regarding repetitive bone marrow biopsies. But that won’t change the answer. (Hint, in the future just toss in the person’s @name such as @mandm4evers and the person will get tagged. ☺️)

In my case I had an aggressive blood cancer called AML. During and after treatment for the cancer and after a bone marrow transplant, frequent tests were needed to make sure there were no more cancer cells and that my transplant worked.
Ginger’s story is different. She has multiple myeloma but the scenario is the same. Doctor’s use the marrow biopsies to go directly to the blood manufacturing source to rule out, diagnose or check the progression of a disease of the blood.

In your case, you have more protein in your blood than the norm, so they’re checking your core cells to see if they can detect an issue in the ‘factory’. ☺️ This may be the only one you need or, there may be a few more in your future depending on the results. It’s an invaluable diagnostic tool for a hematologist.
As you can see, each person’s situation is unique to them so no fretting about what ifs. 🙃 The thought of the biopsy is worse than they are in reality. Knowledge is power. So if your doctor is suggesting a bmbx, then it’s a good place to begin the investigation along with the lab work.
Does this make sense?

@loribmt
Thank you:) as you can see I am not very knowledgeable about how to reply:) thank you!
Everyone has their own journey:) thank you for helping me. My hematologist will thank you too! I just thought since my m spike was low I could wait a little bit to see if I was one of those lucky people that the numbers never went higher:) haha wishful thinking:)

You’re a quick study…no worries! We were all new here at one time or another. Now you’re a veteran. ☺️. Another way to make sure the person is tagged is to simply respond in the ‘reply’ box in the comment you’re reading instead of the larger box below that says Post Comment. That box starts a new comment instead.

Back to the matter at a hand…in your case, even if your m spike is low, because they’re being thorough, the bmbx will give your hematologist a baseline of your marrow and cell structure going forward. You may indeed be one of the fortunate people who has no change! But this way your doctor will be able to assess that potential.
Will you keep us posted as to your results?

Thank you for your help:)
The m-spike has increased in the last test, and because we have the IGA
The hematologist wants to be careful. So many things to know:)

@mandm4evers As @loribmt said, I have multiple myeloma. I have had abnormal protein levels in blood and urine for decades. Going back to 1988, I have had more 24-hour urine collections than I can recall! The sophistication of testing and garnering accurate results over that time has been astounding. In 1988 the diagnosis of Systemic Lupus was the result of many types of testing and eliminating conditions based on results. In addition to the abnormal protein, later labs determined there was more going on when coupled with results I was used to seeing. It took an astute nephrologist who connected the dots and saw what others had failed to note, to get me on the correct track now, bless her heart! Yes, I still have the ultra-rare kidney disease officially diagnosed in 2015, and that is what is shutting down my kidneys. But it has no relation to multiple myeloma. The bone marrow biopsies offer an accurate insight to where my myeloma is at, what percentage of the blood plasma is affected, and allows the doctor to be accurate in his treatment. Because there is a kidney disease and the myeloma, the protocol is a bit different than it might be for someone else.

The Bence-Jones protein is what a doctor may be looking for in your urine, that might indicate a blood plasma issue. In my case, I do not have that, proving my kidney issue is separate from the myeloma.

Here is the link to Mayo Clinic's explanation of bone marrow biopsy: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-biopsy/about/pac-20393117
Do you have any further question I can answer, or comfort I may offer to you?
Ginger

Wow @gingerw !
You have been through a lot! Thank you so much for helping people like me who have absolutely no idea or no control over life! I think that is the scary part for me - no control!
I had Kidney cancer in 2010, so I have had scans and tests every year at Mayo! I have just the last 2 years relaxed with the thought that I am in remission:)
So I do apologize for absolutely having no clue:)
I will get more knowledgeable so I do not keep asking questions:)
Thank you! @ginerw @loribmt
You guys are the best!

Aw, shucks…we thrive on questions! 🙃
That’s why we’re here so that our stories, our journeys can become someone else’s survival map.

You’ve been through quite a lot yourself with having had Kidney cancer. I see you’ve been a member for quite a few years but haven’t really posted anything until now, regarding your high protein level. You’d be a great inspiration for other members in this group for Kidney & Bladder group!
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/kidney-conditions/
How long ago was your kidney cancer diagnosis? Is that well in the past for you?

Had surgery on kidney 2010, there is no preventative treatment for kidney cancer. We just do a Ct scan every year. If something shows up then they can do treatment. Mayo doctors say kidney cancer can come back 20 years or more later. I am hoping it will be in the past;)