The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast #247 SPEP It Up: MGUS, Myeloma, and Immunology, Oh My!
10 snips
Dec 21, 2020 Dr. Jorge Castillo from Harvard and Dana Farber joins the hosts to discuss topics such as immunology basics, limitations of the SPEP, when to suspect MGUS and myeloma, and how to talk to patients about these conditions. They also touch on Waldenstrom's and amyloidosis, providing valuable clinical insights and diagnostic frameworks. Tune in to learn more about these fascinating topics in internal medicine.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Explaining SPEP Test to Patients
- Explain SPEP to patients as a test detecting abnormal antibody production by a clone of cells producing one antibody type.
- Use simple analogies, like weapons representing antibodies, to clarify when a single antibody is elevated versus normal infection response.
Albumin and Globulin Basics
- Albumin and globulin are the two main serum protein fractions; albumin reflects nutrition, globulin reflects antibodies.
- In monoclonal protein disorders, globulin rises and albumin may decrease, inverting their usual ratio.
Combine Immunofixation with SPEP
- Use immunofixation alongside SPEP to identify the exact type of monoclonal protein.
- Immunofixation clarifies IgG, IgA, IgM, and kappa/lambda light chains, complementing SPEP's semi-quantitative results.