Does anyone know what high IG M means?
 

I had some blood tests, including Metabolic Panel, last week. One thing I have not seen before was high IGM. I guess that is an immunoglobulin of the "M" variety (there are several). Mine was very high, over 900, which is several times normal. I have no idea if it means just an infection (I have a bad cold) or it means something more serious. I won't have a chance to talk to the doctor until Friday, but I thought maybe someone would know here.

It's cold here and will snow later, so it's just as well to be staying inside now.

Mariel (several diagnoses, including first MS diagnosis 28 year go or so, then Porphyria dx later, now Polycythemia Vera (high platelets and red cells).

IgM may be high temporarily from an acute infection.

If after a few months pass and it remains high, then it points to
MGUS... monoclonal gammanopathy of unknown source.

This is when antibodies go haywire in the bone marrow and start proliferating and getting into the blood stream.

MGUS has a progression in some, and not in others.
The progression can ultimately lead to multiple myeloma.

The gammonopathy starts to thicken the blood, and make for peripheral neuropathies over time. In the beginning, it can be symptomless.

I have a good link somewhere...I'll find it and post it here for you in a while --later today.

Here are some MGUS links I found a while ago:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoclo...d_significance

blood viscosity studies, including platelets...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_viscosity

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/high-...-in-blood.html
High protein levels in the blood.

This is a very complete outline of the various M protein problems:
http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/antibody/mprotein.htm

http://www.med-ed.virginia.edu/cours...cd/otherpc.cfm

There is a connection of MGUS with Raynaud's symptoms:
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/204369-overview

Thanks, Mrs. D. I read some of those links and have a better understanding. I already have MGUS, so that is not surprising but I also have an infection which the Physician Assistant thinks is a "viral bronchitis". I am on a steroid inhaler which is safe for Porphyria, according to the NAPOS Safe/Unsafe drugs list. So far continuing to have a dry cough.
Your cat pictures are great.