Comprehensive Myeloma Protein Panel Test Cost & Procedure

M Protein (Myeloma Protein): What Is It?

Your doctor might recommend a M protein test to determine if you have the malignancy multiple myeloma. If the material is detected in your blood or urine, you may be suffering from the disease or another ailment.

There are numerous names for M proteins. These might be referred to as "monoclonal" proteins by your doctor. They go by several other names, including monoclonal immunoglobulin, mylenoma, M spike, and paraprotein.

Whatever name they go by, they are created in your bone marrow, which is the spongy tissue found in the centre of many bones. Blood cells are created there. Your immune system—your body's defence against pathogens—is heavily dependent on a type of white blood cell called a plasmacell.

M protein-related conditions

M proteins are linked to a number of ailments:

MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of unclear significance) (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance). Both normal and aberrant plasma cells are present in people with this disease. The M proteins that the aberrant plasma cells produce are visible in your blood. The majority of the time, MGUS doesn't result in any issues or symptoms. Yet, for some individuals, MGUS progresses to a dangerous illness, such as lymphoma or multiple myeloma.

Burning multiple myeloma.

Myeloma multiplex. Multiple myeloma is a condition where plasma cells become malignant and proliferate uncontrollably.

macroglobulinemia due to Waldenstrom. Small lymphocytes are impacted by this malignancy (white blood cells).

M-protein screening tests

M proteins may be tested for if your doctor has a disease suspicion or detects aberrant proteins in another test. Many test kinds exist, including:

Electrophoresis of serum and urine proteins (SPEP and UPEP). A sample of your blood or urine is put in a gel by your doctor. It is infused with an electric current. The amount of M protein you have is indicated by how these proteins are divided based on charge. If there is a M protein present, it usually displays a tall and narrow peak in the vicinity of antibodies. To validate if the peak is M protein and to identify the subgroup, you require a second immunofixation

Testing for quantitative immunoglobulins (Qlg). This examination counts every immunoglobulin protein in your blood. If a monoclonal protein is discovered in your blood or urine, you should adhere to it. One of the requirements for treatment or a change in treatment is an increase in M protein over time.

Blood or urine immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE). The M proteins in this test are separated by type using an electric charge. This aids your doctor in determining the type of M proteins you possess.