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What Causes Elevated IgA Levels?

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Posted on Wed, 14 Dec 2016
Question: My husband had MRI that showed inconclusive spot possible myeloma or leukemia so had blood work up done his IGA was 746 it said no monoclonal protein serum detected and no free light chains detected. Is this good does this mean he is free of cancer why is his IGA high. And yes they are doing bone marrow but waiting is gut wrenching. I am sick to my stomach with worry.
White and red count good platelets good most all other labs were in range his beta globulin was 1.16. Gamma globulin 1.55 these were a bit high.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please, upload the results sheet with abnormal findings!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Waiting is never easy especially when such diagnostic possibilities are raised. To be most helpful, I will like to review the abnormal findings myself. The good news of absent monoclonal antibodies and light chains as well as normal platelets and WBC makes the possibility of cancers less likely. That is good news to me and should serve as a rather reassuring finding and try to be less disturbed.

I hope to get the findings from you soon. To upload an image, simply click on the link to upload a file and follow the instructions. If this proves difficult, please send the image by mail to YYYY@YYYY and request that the image should be uploaded to your query.

I do promise to get back to you with more insights and helpful recommendations as soon as the requested information gets here.

Awaiting

Regards


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (43 hours later)
Thank you for your encouraging words they have helped calm me down a bit. I can't figure out how to transfer report so I will type it out for you. It's from Trial Sports Medicine in Bloomington Mm. MR Lumbar Spine WO IV Contrast
Signs & symptoms: bilateral leg pain
Comments: rule out possible atypical presentation of Lumbar Spine etiology,spefically at L-4,
Findings: five Lumbar-type vertebral bodies. The coins medullaris terminates at the level of the L-1-L-2. Questionable clumping of nerve roots in the cauda equine at L5-S1. Diffusely heterogeneous and low T1 signal throughout the vertebral marrow. Normal alignment.congenital spinal canal narrowing from L3 to L5.The visualized paraspinal structures are remarkable.
L2-3: DISC Bulge. Mild bilateral facet arthropathy. Mild spinal canal narrowing. Epidural lipomatosis contributes to moderate to severe thecal sac effacement. Mild bilateral neural hormonal narrowing.
L3-L4: Disc bulge. Moderate bilateral facet arthropathy. Ligamentum flavum thickening. Mild spinal canal narrowing. Epidural lipomatosis contributes to severe thecal sac effacement. Moderate proximal right and mild left neural communal narrowing.
L4-L5: Disc bulge. Moderate bilateral facet arthropathy. Mild moderate spinal canal narrowing. Epidural lipomatosis contributes to moderate to severe thecal sac effacement. Moderate bilateral neural foraminal narrowing.
L5-S1: Disc bulge.Mild bilateral facet arthropathy. Mild spinal canal narrowing.Epidural fat contributes to mild to moderate cheval sac effacement. Mild to moderate bilateral neural formal narrowing.

IMPRESSION:
1.Diffusely heterogeneous and low T1 signal throughout the vertebral marrow which can be seen in infiltrative processes such as multiple myeloma, leukemia and lymphoma, as well as benign processes such as red marrow conversion.
2. Questionable clumping process of nerve roots in the cauda equine at L5-S1 which may be artifactual. This can be in secular of arachnoiditis or possibly inflammatory or neoclassic etiologies.
3. Degerative findings superimposed on congenital spinal canal narrowing and epidural lipomatosis with severe thecal sac effacement at L3-L4 and moderate to severe thecal sac effacement at L2-L3 and L4-L5.
4. Moderate proximal right neural foraminal narrowing at L3-L4. Moderate proximal bilateral neural formaminal narrowing at L4-L5.

Well that's the report hopefully not to many spelling errors and you can get back to me with your updated conclusion and I thank you again for your opinion.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Thanks for the report!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the well written out report. These findings by themselves are not conclusive. However, the blood findings are not in support of the cancer related diagnostic options. I will suggest that we complete these initial findings with the one marrow biopsy which would help establish the exact picture.

Keep me posted on the results of the biopsy.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (3 days later)
I am happy to report that the dr told us NO CANCER at all was found. Dr. Told us MRI report was interpretation by the radiologist who did it. IGA test and others will be followed up in 3 months .Suggested seeing a rheumatologists for the pain in his legs. Not sure why IGA is elevated at this time. Thank you for your help and maybe this can help someone else down the line.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Happy for you too!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Am happy with this good news. Stay blessed.
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. REMY KOSHY
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Chobufo Ditah

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 6323 Questions

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What Causes Elevated IgA Levels?

Brief Answer: Please, upload the results sheet with abnormal findings! Detailed Answer: Hi, Waiting is never easy especially when such diagnostic possibilities are raised. To be most helpful, I will like to review the abnormal findings myself. The good news of absent monoclonal antibodies and light chains as well as normal platelets and WBC makes the possibility of cancers less likely. That is good news to me and should serve as a rather reassuring finding and try to be less disturbed. I hope to get the findings from you soon. To upload an image, simply click on the link to upload a file and follow the instructions. If this proves difficult, please send the image by mail to YYYY@YYYY and request that the image should be uploaded to your query. I do promise to get back to you with more insights and helpful recommendations as soon as the requested information gets here. Awaiting Regards