Hello,
I recently asked for a myeloma blood test due to a few symptoms.
I had a urine test and there was no Bence Jones present.
I cannot fully understand my blood test results.
I am confused when people on the myeloma forum mention paraproteins. I'm not sure which they are on my results.
I also noticed that my light chain ratio is slightly above the top rage. Is this something to worry about?
Hello Tilly123
My name is Adele. I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.
Welcome to our online community and thanks for posting your question. I hope you have found the myeloma forum helpful, although I do recognise that sometimes the language and the conversation about test results can be confusing.
Myeloma affects plasma cells. These cells are made inside your bone marrow and are responsible for producing antibodies. In myeloma the plasma cells start to make antibodies that don’t work as they should and can’t kill germs like normal antibodies.
Antibodies are also known as immunoglobulins. They are made up of chemical structures called heavy and light chains. The light chains can be excreted from the body in the urine. The light chains are also referred to as Bence Jones protein.
The blood and urine tests are therefore designed to look for these abnormal antibodies, or for the light chains. When people present with symptoms that may point towards myeloma, the GP will arrange for these different tests to help make the diagnosis.
When they test your urine, they are specifically looking for the Bence Jones protein. This is produced when people have a certain type of myeloma called light chain myeloma (or Bence Jones myeloma).
The GP would have arranged a variety of different blood tests to help them determine the likely cause of your symptoms. These can include the following tests:
The doctor may also arrange other routine blood tests to check the level of your blood cells (full blood count), how the kidneys and liver are working, and to measure the calcium level. Further information about the tests for myeloma can be found here.
Once the doctor has all of the test results, they will review them, along with your symptoms to determine the best next steps.
Antibodies levels, or the light chain ratio, can also be raised in other conditions. Some people can also have a type of myeloma that does not produce paraproteins or light chains. This is called non-secretory myeloma. It is less common, affecting just 3 in every 100 people with the disease.
It is for this reason that it is important that the doctor considers the results of all the other blood tests, along with any symptoms, and does not just focus on the results of the antibody tests.
It is therefore hard to know the significance of the slight elevation of your light chain ratio, Tilly123. I would suggest that you arrange to have a further chat with your GP about the results you have received and to ensure that these are considered in the context of the symptoms you have been experiencing.
This conversation should include a discussion about next steps, including any further tests or investigation that may help determine the cause of your symptoms and whether it is appropriate to refer you to the haematology team.
This is a lot of information, and we often find we can help more by exploring these questions over the phone. If this is something you think would help, then please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.
The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.
Best wishes, Adele
Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
Ref AON/JL
