Need help understanding blood test!

[FunkyDonkey]

TW: talk of cancer

Had a full blood test a couple of days ago due to feeling fatigued, dizzy and shaky for a few weeks now. Checked my NHS app for results today and the serum protein electrophoresis(excuse me if that’s not right) has come back abnormal and the notes say monoclonal band present.

I know I shouldn’t have but, being curious, I googled it and it’s coming up with all sorts of things some pointing to cancer and now I’m spiralling.

Can anyone who knows a bit more about it offer any reassurance or does this mean I might have cancer, is there anything else I should be looking for on other tests to indicate another issue or confirm the worst?

Hi OP,

Those results can sometimes point to a blood cancer called myeloma, or the non cancerous MGUS, however either way you would be referred to a haematologist and further investigations done before a diagnosis is made.

Thank you for your help! Would MGUS explain my symptoms also?

MGUS is only really diagnosed on blood tests, it doesn't actually have symptoms that you'd be experiencing. Were those the only out of range bloods? Full blood count ok? Electrolytes?

My red blood cells are low as well as ferritin, my immunoglobulins were high. I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow but I don’t want to be fobbed off so want to be armed with suggestions of what it could be.

Low ferritin can make you feel really rough. I felt awful when mine was 9

Yes the ferritin is what's likely to be making you feel poorly. I would definitely suggest to the doctor some kind of blood disorder and mention myeloma/MGUS and that referral to haematology would be prudent. I imagine your GP will be suggesting that anyway

Thank you for being so helpful, my first time posting here and I’m so grateful I could cry!

Ah op, it's no problem at all. Please come back and let us know how you get on at the gp