What is a globulin gap?

What is a globulin gap?

The “gamma gap” or globulins, i.e. the difference between total serum proteins and albumin measured from a comprehensive metabolic panel, is a frequently used clinical screening tool to assess for latent infection, malignancy, or autoimmune inflammatory diseases [1–4].

What does elevated protein gap mean?

Background. An elevated gamma gap (>4 g/dL), the difference between serum total protein and albumin, can trigger testing for chronic infections or monoclonal gammopathy, despite a lack of evidence supporting this clinical threshold.

What causes elevated protein gap?

– Causes of polyclonal gammopathy include viral infections (acute HIV, hepatitis C), connective tissue disorders and other causes of persistent inflammation (acute phase reactants will cause an increase in the globulin gap).

What is protein gap in multiple myeloma?

One such test may be the gamma gap (GG). The GG is the calculated difference between a patient’s total serum protein and albumin. In patients with a substantial serum M-spike, the GG is typically elevated since excess myeloma-derived immunoglobulins elevate total protein but not albumin.

What does high globulin mean?

Healthcare providers use globulin blood tests to measure protein levels in your blood. Your liver makes globulin, a protein. High levels may indicate autoimmune disease, infections or cancer. A low globulin reading may be a sign of liver or kidney disease.

What causes high globulin?

High globulin levels may be a sign of: Certain types of blood cancers, such as multiple myeloma, Hodgkin disease, or leukemia. Hemolytic anemia. An autoimmune disease, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Tuberculosis.

What causes elevated globulin?

What does high beta globulin mean?

Increased beta globulin proteins may indicate: A disorder in which the body has problems breaking down fats (for example, hyperlipoproteinemia, familial hypercholesterolemia) Estrogen therapy.

What causes increased gamma globulin?

Increased gamma globulin proteins may indicate: Blood cancers, including multiple myeloma, Waldenström macroglobulinemia, lymphomas, and chronic lymphocytic leukemias. Chronic inflammatory disease (for example, rheumatoid arthritis) Acute infection.

What is crab in multiple myeloma?

The acronym CRAB summarizes the most typical clinical manifestations of multiple myeloma, these being hypercalcemia, renal failure, anemia, and bone disease.

What happen if globulin is high?

What happens when globulin is high?

Can multiple myeloma make you feel cold?

This damage can lead to weakness and numbness and sometimes a “pins and needles” sensation. This is also called peripheral neuropathy. Avoid things that make your peripheral neuropathy worse, such as hot or cold temperatures or snug clothes or shoes.

How high is calcium in multiple myeloma?

Myeloma bone disease can result in excess bone resorption, which causes excessive release of calcium leading to hypercalcemia (defined as a serum calcium concentration > 11.5 mg/dL or 2.85 mmol/L).