Finally, my June 26 test results! The reason it took so long to get them is that I wanted certain vitamins etc. to be tested. Normally, you get your test results in two weeks. My mother, who is cat-sitting for us back in Florence, read them to me over the phone a short while ago.
In a nutshell, my MM is still stable. My IgG has indeed increased from 28.8 to 30.6, BUT most of the other markers have improved, in some cases remarkably so. For instance, my blood viscosity has halved. No kidding. It’s still not within the normal range, but it’s going in the right direction, and that’s what matters. My platelet count has gone up from 262 to 283, which is also good news. My albumin went up a bit, so now it is even more within the normal range. And my monoclonal component went down one entire percentage. Yippee! Total protein and my other immunoglobulins (low, as to be expected), no change; my calcium is down slightly, still way within the normal range.
Okay, not everything is shining and bright and glorious. Since my April tests, my ferritin has gone from 11 to 7 (the normal range is 15-200 ng/ml), which is abysmally low. So I will have to eat some red meat (sigh!) and other iron-rich foods, otherwise I fear that my hematologist will tell me to take iron pills. I should note, though, that my serum iron is way within the normal range, and there is no big change in my hematocrit and hemoglobin. My Beta-2 went up slightly compared to my April tests, from 1.5 to 1.7, but is still way within the normal range, which is 1.2-2.5 mg/L. Those are really the only two “bad” values.
I had wanted to test resveratrol between April and June, but I ran out of resveratrol capsules at the end of May or thereabouts, and the new shipment I was expecting from the U.S. in May was stopped by Italian customs (by the way, the shipment arrived safe and sound…about three weeks ago! Oh well…better late than never). So I ended up not testing any new substance but just taking my usual daily dose of curcumin, quercetin and oil capsules. Therefore, all in all, these results are quite satisfactory. Sure, I would have preferred a huge IgG decrease, but after all, as this Italian proverb wisely states, chi s’accontenta, gode (I found this translated as: “well pleased is well served”). Right? 🙂
Congratulations, Margaret! The positives are outweighing the negatives, so that is great! I had similar test results recently – mostly good, but the amt. of protein I am putting out was very elevated. The onc. wants me to start Velcade at the end of the month. Of course, I am hoping that another several weeks of the curcumin will bring better results. Started the quercetin, too.
Keep enjoying your vacation!
Lisa
Hi Margaret,
First let me say how thankful I am for your website! I’m thankful you are able to read and understand so much of this medical jargon and then translate to us less capable folks! After giving platelets to a sick friend July 2006 , I was notified by the lab to see my family MD. I was then referred to and diagnosed with MGUS by a local Oncologist and after further tests at the University of Arkansas Medial Center my diagnosis was upgraded to SMM in October 2006. I have been and continue to be asymptomatic and hope to remain that way! : ) My Oncologist is from India and apprehensively recommended I try Turmeric. I’ve been taking 450 mg. of Turmeric capsules 3 times per day. Since reading your messages, I’m slowly increasing my daily dosage. I hope I’m taking the right kind. On the “supplemental facts” listed on the container it reads, Turmeric (Curcuma longa) (root) 450 mg., Turmeric extract 50 mg., Standardized to contain 95% curcuminoids.
Questions: 1) Should I order Curcumin rather than Turmeric?
2) How many mg. of Curcumin do you take at a time?
How many times per day?
3) Do you take fish oil capsules? If so, how many
mg. per capsule?
Your assistance would be very much appreciated. Thanks, Donna
PS-Happy holiday!