Elevated Kappa Light Chains Without Monoclonal Gammopathy

The presence of an abnormal free light chain flc ratio ie ratio of kappa to lambda free light chains 0 26 or 1 65.

Elevated kappa light chains without monoclonal gammopathy. Mgus short for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance is a condition that causes the body to create an abnormal protein. Light chain myeloma sometimes called bence jones myeloma. A polyclonal gammopathy is characterized by a broad diffuse band with one or more heavy chains and kappa and lambda light chains 7. She told me not to worry and we ll check again in 3 months.

Among patients with immunoglobin m igm mgus 15 the presence of two adverse risk factors an abnormal serum free light chain ratio ratio of kappa to lambda free light chains and a high. This abnormal protein is formed within your bone marrow the soft blood producing tissue that fills in the center of most of your bones. Antibodies are made up of two parts. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance mgus is a condition in which an abnormal protein known as monoclonal protein or m protein is in your blood.

Hence the need to consider urine testing when clearly suspecting a monoclonal gammopathy. Light chain mgus was defined later and is diagnosed upon fulfillment of certain criteria that are stated below. What else should i ask answered by dr. They only produce part of the immunoglobulin called the light chain.

This is called a monoclonal protein also called m protein or m spike. Light chain only monoclonal gammopathy are often barely visible in serum but may show as large amounts of monoclonal light chains excreted in the urine. You have a minimal degree of change this may be wi. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance mgus is a premalignant plasma cell proliferative disorder found in approximately 3 of the general population 50 years of age and older.

By definition patients with mgus have a serum m protein less than 30 g. There are 2 types of light chains called kappa and lambda. This protein is called monoclonal protein or m protein. This can be measured by the free light chain assay test on a blood specimen.

About 20 out of 100 people with myeloma 20 do not produce complete immunoglobulins. Told me my kappa light chain is elevated at 26. In a minority of cases only light chains without heavy chains are produced. 1 the hallmark of mgus is the presence of a monoclonal immunoglobulin in the serum commonly referred to as a monoclonal m protein.

When myeloma progresses the myeloma cells start to produce more light chains than heavy chains.