Kappa light ratio and beta 2 microglobin

Posted by ldschaefer @ldschaefer, Mar 20, 2023

I have been unwell for literally years and diagnosed with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. At some point I had abnormal results and had high kappa and protein in my blood according to my dermatologist that I was never told about. I was sent to hematology this month and have elevated kappa light chains at 30 and my ratio is at 3. Beta 2 is also elevated. M protein is unclear and lab said repeat in 3-6 months. I looked back at urine results with my primary care and there was an instance where there was protein in my blood. What would be protocol to proceed by hematology or can anyone give me an opinion about my scenario. Thank you

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I agree with several comments here. Don't self-diagnose from the Internet. As one doctor of mine said, "you won't believe all the patients who think they have a disease which only affects those in a small region of sub-Saharan Africa (especially as they haven't travelled to it) just because you seem to have symptoms which are similar to those you read on Google". You can get a lot of great information from the Internet and sites dealing with various types of cancers but that is still not a diagnosis. Push your PCP and/or hematologist to see an oncologist or a hematologist/oncologist for a second opinion. The tricky part might be to get recent blood tests - the new doctor typically won't order them until you are a patient of theirs. So one of your current doctors has to do it. Best of luck in getting some answers quickly.

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@ldschaefer

Apparently the local hematologist thinks my unrelenting spine pain, high k/l ratio and high beta 2 m is “my” normal. How can this be? Am I nuts…… do I need a second opinion from a myeloma specialist? I’m so confused.

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Get another opinion. My primary care doctor told me for years my back pain was part of getting old. Then I could not get out of bed as a plasmacytoma was impeding my spinal cord. I have a new primary and been working with surgeons to repair spine and oncologist to deal with plasmacytoma. Pian has a cause other than age.

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Mayo Clinic is your best bet….. Mayo & The Grace of God is why I am here to say Go….. It’s been over 16 yrs since my stem cell transplant & it started from a simple urine test for a physical for a new job that showed protein in my urine….. I had vague symptoms of being tired & aches & pains mostly in my legs & my then doctor told me I was just old… I thought it was because of stress so I quit my job & took on a similar one without the stress. After a succession of different doctors I ended up at a nephrologist who did a biopsy of my kidneys & just happened to send it to Mayo Clinic & was treated at Mayo Clinic per a stem cell transplant….. Be your own advocate & find your own path to better health… Your answer is out there…. God Sped…..

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@ldschaefer

Apparently the local hematologist thinks my unrelenting spine pain, high k/l ratio and high beta 2 m is “my” normal. How can this be? Am I nuts…… do I need a second opinion from a myeloma specialist? I’m so confused.

Jump to this post

ABSOLUTELY get a second opinion from a specialist familiar with MGUS/SMM/MM. My story is long, but is relevant to this topic as well, posted just yesterday:

I was diagnosed with IgA Kappa MGUS on 15 February 2023 – no M spike, 5-8% plasma cells in bone marrow. My husband passed from IgA Lamda Multiple Myeloma (MM) on 23 July 2022. I am hopeful because his course of development was a long one. I believe he was under diagnosed by the local hematologist / oncologist. I didn't know then what I know now. A MM specialist is a must. Steve ended up with one, but it was too late. I currently, personally have two Oncologist who's practices are specifically MM / SM / MGUS – one for a whole food, plant-based study I am involved in out of Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC and one that is in Boston and a major research and MM expert. I live in North Carolina and will get an MM / SM / MGUS Specialist closer to home before too long. My local Hematologist / Oncologist is not the same as the neglectful one that professed to be an expert with Steve, but wise although not specialized.

Prior to formally diagnosing me, my local Oncologist conducted a bone marrow biopsy, PET-CT scan, 24 hour urine analysis, and plethora of labs. I also had my Primary Provider, who found the MGUS due to my having mentioned experiencing some neuropathy and Steve's disease course, perform an updated bone density scan for my new baseline at 65 – had one many years ago and there were no changes.

Keeping your stress down, being physically active, eating well, and being proactive in your lifestyle are believed to be beneficial. The Mayo Clinic Connect is a very helpful forum as well. We are all here for you.

Teri

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