[JoanB]

Finally got in to see the P/N specialist after waiting since January. He ordered the following bloodwork:

Immunoglobulin Quant. (00)
Tissue Transglutimatinase (TTG)
Free Kappa/Lambda Ratio, Serum

Anyone have an idea what he may be looking for? I've had most of the usual bloodwork before with nothing showing up, but I wondered if there's something about these three tests.

Also ordered an MRI, and asked me about back problems, family members and IBS in the same breath.

I just got the sense that he was thinking of something specific...but you know how they will never tell you before the fact if they suspect something.

[mrsD]

The 3rd one is for MGUS.... a gammopathy. These are large proteins made by the immune system, and they make the serum more viscous so it doesn't flow thru small capillaries well. Several posters here have MGUS.

The 2nd one is a screen for IgG and IgA for celiac or gluten intolerance.

The first one is for reporting amounts of the immune globulins.

Glenn is better with the tests than I am...he will go into more detail.

[DejaVu]

HI Joan!
I hope the new doctor is helpful to you!
I am so thankful for all of the helpers on this site, lending their knowledge so freely!
My Best to You,
~DejaVu

[glenntaj]

--and even the quantitative immunglobulin screen is to look to see if you have too much in the way of monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies--the Kappa/Lambda screen is to type them if they're there (and I wouldn't be surprised if an immunofixation electrophoresis is also included).

All of those tests are looking for dysfunction of the antibody system, which is not only associated in many cases with neuropathy but with blood disorders.

See:

http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/antibody/mprotein.htm

[JoanB]

Thanks mrsD & glenntaj! And you're so right, dejavu! These folks are the best!

That link is pretty overwhelming, glenntaj, but I see what you mean about the connection to neuropathy, so I can see how his testing for it made sense. I feel like this guy is actually interested and trying, which is new and different! Not just "too bad for you, nothing more to see here, thanks for playing!"

I also had some bloodwork from my primary doc recently that showed low protein and globulin...just wondering because those are two words that are popping up here. (but I'm guessing high would be more consistent?) Maybe not connected...I tend to oversimplify things I don't understand.

[pabb]

Originally Posted by JoanB

Thanks mrsD & glenntaj! And you're so right, dejavu! These folks are the best!

That link is pretty overwhelming, glenntaj, but I see what you mean about the connection to neuropathy, so I can see how his testing for it made sense. I feel like this guy is actually interested and trying, which is new and different! Not just "too bad for you, nothing more to see here, thanks for playing!"

I also had some bloodwork from my primary doc recently that showed low protein and globulin...just wondering because those are two words that are popping up here. (but I'm guessing high would be more consistent?) Maybe not connected...I tend to oversimplify things I don't understand.

the low protein and globullin could be caused by malabsorbtion, which could stem from celiac disease.

[JoanB]

Originally Posted by pabb

the low protein and globullin could be caused by malabsorbtion, which could stem from celiac disease.

Interesting, pabb...could also be related to the unexplained weight loss (30 lbs in a year) and also muscle weakness and easy bruising. But it seems like diarrhea features prominently with celiac disease, and I almost always have the opposite problem, so I never considered it. Well, at least someone is finally looking into some of these things, and I feel hopeful for the first time in ages!

[JoanB]

And another way things are possibly looking up for me: I have a job interview tomorrow! It's a temporary position, but I've had 3-month assignments in the past turn into 3 years. I usually work in either engineering or IT environments, and they're both exceptionally horrible with estimating their staffing needs, so who knows?

[mrsD]

Good luck on the interview! I hope it goes well for you!