What is mgus blood disorder

Your doctor may do regular blood tests to help check for any changes in the MGUS and predict whether it is likely to change in the future. Doctors do not know what causes MGUS, but different things are known to increase the risk of it developing. People who have a close family member such as a parent, brother or sister with MGUS have a slightly increased risk of developing it.

MGUS does not usually cause any symptoms. But a small number of people with MGUS have numbness or tingling in their hands and feet peripheral neuropathy , or problems with their balance. This may be because of damage to their nerves caused by paraproteins in their blood. People with nerve symptoms that cause them problems may be referred to a neurologist. This is a doctor who specialises in conditions of the nervous system. Doctors may test you for MGUS if a paraprotein is found in your blood following a blood test.

A paraprotein in the blood can also be a sign of more serious conditions, such as myeloma or lymphoma. Doctors may need to do a number of different tests to rule out these other conditions before they can diagnose MGUS. Your GP may arrange these tests, or you may be referred to a doctor in blood disorders haematologist.

Not everybody who has MGUS is referred to a haematologist. Your doctor decides if this is needed based on your symptoms and test results. As well as tests, your doctor may physically examine you and ask some questions about your health. You will have a blood test that measures the amount and type of paraprotein made by the plasma cells. You will also have a test to check the number of different types of blood cell full blood count.

Your doctor may arrange blood tests to check how well your liver and kidneys are working. This is to check your general health, but also because myeloma can affect these organs. You may also have your calcium levels checked, as myeloma can cause increased calcium levels. Some types of paraprotein can be found in the urine.

You may be asked to give samples of your urine to check for these. You may need to take a container home and collect your urine for 24 hours. The nurses will explain more about how to do this test. Your doctor may arrange for you to have some x-rays.

Health Home Conditions and Diseases. What causes monoclonal gammopathies? What are the risk factors for monoclonal gammopathies? What are the symptoms of monoclonal gammopathies? How are monoclonal gammopathies treated? Key points Monoclonal gammopathies are conditions in which abnormal proteins are found in the blood.

The most common condition linked with these abnormal proteins is MGUS. Diagnosis is often done with a lab test called electrophoresis. MGUS may lead to a more serious condition so checkups are needed throughout your life to find problems as early as possible. Next steps Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider: Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.

Before your visit, write down questions you want answered. Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you. At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you. Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you.

Also know what the side effects are. The condition is usually detected incidentally during a routine check-up when a blood test shows an increase in the blood protein level.

The diagnosis is then confirmed by having a particular blood test called a serum electropheresis test which identifies the abnormal antibody.

MGUS has a number of clinical features. MGUS does not require any active treatment, however monitoring is recommended. Monitoring of MGUS includes regular clinical assessment and follow up measurements of serum protein. The serum protein should be checked after three months and then again at six months to establish a firm diagnosis of MGUS.

If the paraprotein has remained stable it may be checked annually thereafter.