I remembered something when I saw my PCP the other day. He asked about my LP and I told him what my Neuro said. The ONLY thing that was said about it was that "My proteins were a bit high, but okay".

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

So, just now I googled this:

http://www.bchealthguide.org/kbase/t...63/results.htm

Under "abnormal results" it says:

Protein:
A high level of protein may be caused by bleeding in the CSF, a tumour or spread of a cancer from another area of the body, diabetes, infection, injury, Guillain-Barré syndrome, severe hypothyroidism, or other nerve diseases. An increase in antibodies (immunoglobulins) may be caused by inflammation in people who have multiple sclerosis, immune system disorders, or other bacterial and viral diseases.

EDIT: Can someone explain the antibodies part of the statement? Oh, where's jensaquitur when you need her? LOL!!


Any of you who know anything...please respond! (I swear they are going to MAKE me nuts!)

Welcome back to Limbo Land
Sorry but high protein IS a sign of MS as well as all the other things you listed.
Was your RBC count?
Myelin Basic Protein?
IgG rate?
IgG Index?
I'm guessing there was No Bands seen?

I didnt know increased proteins were a sign of MS...

*grabbing file of medical records to see if they ever checked my proteins*

BTW, Mine was only 24.1, normal range is 13.0-40.0.

The same website says this:

The normal protein content of CSF in an adult's lower back (lumbar) region is 55 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL) or less. Older adults and children may have higher values (up to 70 mg/dL) that are still in the normal range.


Are you sure?

Greenjeans, did your doctor ever mention oligoclonal bands (o-bands)?

The CSF of people with MS usually contains elevated levels of IgG antibodies as well as a specific group of proteins called oligoclonal bands. Occasionally there are also certain proteins that are the breakdown products of myelin. These findings indicate an abnormal autoimmune response within the central nervous system, meaning that the body is producing an immune response against itself.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/sit...sourcebook_csf


I had high protein and the o-bands when my LP was done in 1986.

Thanks snoopy...so you are saying that the high protein needs to include these o-bands? Could this be an indicator of the beginning of MS?

I'll go read the link you gave me...thanks!!!


PS: No, he didn't mention any bands.....getting my test results...I'll report as soon as I have them!!

Well not everyone that has MS has o-bands in the CSF.

More that causes alarm for me

http://jnnp.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/64/3/402


I just left a message with my Neuro's Nurse....getting to the bottom of this!

Just called the hospital to email my test results....

That's true. I believe 10 to 15 percent diagnosed with MS have had negative LPs. The LP is just one more diagnostic tool to hopefully find answers to a patients symptoms.