![]() Waste chemicals called urea and creatinine are produced by the body. These blood tests show how well your kidneys are working. The calcium level can be raised if the myeloma cells are speeding up the breakdown of bone. Your doctor will also check your blood calcium level. It is particularly useful for diagnosing and monitoring light chain myeloma (where light chain is the only abnormal protein), and some non secretory myelomas. This is a smaller part of the myeloma protein called light chain that is also made by myeloma cells. ![]() The serum free light chain (SFLC) assay picks up tiny amounts of small proteins called free light chains in the blood. By measuring the amount of protein in the blood you can find out how active the myeloma is and how well treatment is working. Another test called immunofixation electrophoresis shows the exact type of abnormal antibody (also called M protein or paraprotein), such as IgG or IgA.ĭoctors can also use these tests to monitor how well treatment for myeloma is working. The myeloma protein is called monoclonal protein (also called M-protein, light chain, abnormal antibody or paraprotein). This test looks for abnormal proteins found in myeloma. ![]() Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) measures the amount of immunoglobulins (antibodies) in the blood. The range of figures quoted as normal varies slightly between laboratories and also differs between men and women. There is a range of normal for blood counts. Symptoms of a low platelet count include abnormal bleeding, such as bleeding gums and nosebleeds. Platelets help clot the blood, for example after a cut.There are several different types of white cells, including neutrophils and lymphocytes. This can make you feel tired, short of breath and dizzy. ![]() If you have a low red cell count, your doctor might say you’re anaemic (pronounced a-nee-mic). Haemoglobin is the part of the cell that carries oxygen. Red cells carry oxygen around our bodies.feeling faint or fainting - tell the person doing your blood test if you're feeling lightheaded or dizzy at any timeĪ full blood count (FBC) measures the number of red cells, white cells and platelets in your blood.swelling (oedema) - ask your nurse, doctor or phlebotomist to avoid an arm that is swollen or has a risk of swelling.pain - this is normally mild and can last for a few minutes.bleeding and bruising - pressing hard when the needle is removed can help to stop it.Possible risks of having a blood testīlood sampling (phlebotomy) is a safe test. Some results might be available very quickly, such as a full blood count and kidney and liver function tests. Getting your resultsĪsk the phlebotomist, doctor or nurse when and how you will get your results. Look away when they’re taking the blood if you prefer. Tell your doctor, nurse or phlebotomist if you feel unwell. This helps to stop bleeding and bruising. ![]() They then take the needle out and put pressure on the area with a cotton wool ball or small piece of gauze for a few minutes. Once they have all the samples, they release the band around your arm. Next, they attach a small bottle or syringe to the needle to draw out some blood. They clean your skin and then put a small needle into your vein. You may need to clench your fist to make it easier to find a vein. They put a tight band (tourniquet) around your arm above the area where they take the sample. Let them know if you are afraid of needles, get unwell with the sight of blood or are allergic to plasters or latex. What happens?Ī doctor, nurse or phlebotomist (person specialised in taking blood) chooses the best vein to use. You can eat and drink normally before most blood tests. For fasting blood tests you need to stop eating and drinking beforehand. They can see the different types of cells and can count the different blood cells. A blood doctor looks at your sample under a microscope. Your blood sample is sent to the laboratory.
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