Elevated Kappa Light Chains In Urine
Told me my kappa light chain is elevated at 26.
Elevated kappa light chains in urine. His kappa light chain free serum level is high. Free light chains will normally be present in the blood at low levels with a kappa lambda ratio of approximately 0 26 to 1 65 for individuals with normal kidney function. There are two types of immunoglobulin light chain produced in humans. The decades old urine test is still used by pathologists and requested by physicians but its use declined when the serum free light chain assay became available about a dozen years ago singh.
Increased kappa free light chains and an increased kappa lambda ratio may be seen with plasma cell disorders that produce excess monoclonal kappa light chains. In the clip dr. Leclair provides a thorough scientific breakdown of light chains and the way they work. Immunoglobulin light chains that are circulating in serum in a free unbound state are called free light chains flcs measurement of the serum level of flcs became practical as a clinical blood test in recent decades.
You have a minimal degree of change this may be wi. These tests are used as an aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of multiple myeloma and related disorders. I guess we are going on a journey and i pray he will come out on the other side. Your article has helped me to understand what this means.
What else should i ask answered by dr. Thank you for putting things in simple terms and also for the deciphering my myeloma lab results which i printed out. She told me not to worry and we ll check again in 3 months. Plasma cells normally produce a slight excess of light chains that are either excreted or catabolized by the kidney and only a minute amount of light chain protein normally appears in the urine.
Leclair is a patient power host and retired. Susan leclair discusses what kappa light chains are and answers what an increase in kappa light chain numbers might mean for a patient with myeloma.