Free Light Chains Serum

[stalo]

My neuro PNP ordered Free Light Chains Serum tests. I have not been dx w/MS but for 3 yrs, it has been "possible" MS, with mostly paresthesia-type sx, meeting criteria of lesions with dissemination of space, but not time. So, I have a slightly elevated Kappa Free Light Chain level and she is having me retested because of the increase numbness & pain I've been having. Does anyone here have a good way of explaining to me how this test relates to a possible neuro disease? Internet is mostly referring to myeloma, of which I really don't have any sx.

[lusciousleaves2]

Stalo, this is one test I've asked 4 docs to order and can't get. So good on your neuro for getting it done. As I understand the free light chains, they're small protein fragments that clog up the small blood vessels like capillaries. This causes problems all over the body but also in the nervous system.

[22cyclist]

It seems like most places are doing a free light chain monomer-dimer patterns in the CSF as a potential replacement for traditional o-banding.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23376556

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/1...00111/abstract

Take care
Lisa

[stalo]

Thank you, Lisa! I had read a little about the use of the free light chains serum test for MS. My kappa levels are not way high, but are higher than the normal range. I have blood & urine test tomorrow. I had an LP 3 yrs ago, but they did not look for the FLC then, just the o-bands, of which I had none.

[22cyclist]

Stalo: Here is a link to a study on the urine free light chain levels:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1901396
http://msj.sagepub.com/content/4/3/254.abstract

Hope yours turns out well!
Lisa