Monoclonal Gammopathy

Diagnosis

In most cases, people with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) do not experience symptoms. The condition is often identified through routine blood tests, or medical care related to another problem. Sometimes you can have numbness, tingling, or skin lesions related to MGUS.

Mayo Clinic doctors use the following procedures to diagnose monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance:

• Blood tests. A serum protein electrophoresis, which separates blood proteins into five parts, is used to detect the presence of the abnormal M protein characteristic of MGUS. Specialized tests such as immunofixation and the free light chain assay are then performed to further identify the abnormal protein.
• Urine tests. Urine tests may be performed to determine if the abnormal protein is being released in the urine or to diagnose any kidney damage as a result of the protein.
• Bone marrow tests. A bone marrow biopsy may be completed to determine the severity of the problem and the specific molecular type of the condition. Mayo Clinic doctors have identified at least six different molecular types of MGUS and are studying the relationship of the specific type to the risk of its progression to myeloma.

For additional details, see diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance on MayoClinic.com.