What Do My Lab Test Reports Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 29 Dec 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 29 Dec 2015 Answered on

Fri, 22 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : After several blood tests that indicated elevated MPV, elevated alkaline phosphate, total protein, and increased globulin. My Dr ordered a SPEP test and the results were elevated albumin and elevated alpha-2. total protein electrophoresis was 9.50. My Dr is 100 miles away and we live in a very snowy area with bad road conditions. I spoke to her on the phone and she would like an appointment with me to discuss the results and said in the meantime that could tell me that my "levels" will need to be monitored. what does this mean and how often are these levels checked normally? I am alos awaiting an appointment with surgeon to assess a palpable mass on the left side just under rib cage. this is thought to be a growing lipoma. I also have a 1.1cm left hepatic lobe lesion. the surgeon will be assessing this as well. I am still stuck in snowy weather and I am not sure when I will make this appointment. any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It seems to indicate an acute or chronic inflammatory process in the body.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I understand your apprehension but need to ask specifically about the symptoms that you had. I understand that you have a palpable mass just under the rib cage on the left but would also ask if an ultrasound of the upper abdomen has been done. If it has not been done, I would insist on getting it done before you schedule an appointment with a surgeon. The ultrasound would also give insights on your hepatic lobe lesion.

The next thing to ask is whether you take alcohol.

The third is the correlation of the reports. Your doctor has ordered serum protein electrophoresis with something in mind. I cannot pinpoint why, but it is possible that the increased protein levels has made him investigate further. It would be helpful if you could upload the electrophoresis report. As such increased alpha-2 globulin proteins may indicate an acute or chronic inflammation but clinical correlation is essential.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (15 minutes later)

I have had an ultrasound and for some reason the palpable mass is not showing on the ultrasound. It is clearly there and can be seen and felt by myself and the tech who did the ultrasound. I realize that the lesion on my liver would not be large enough to cause this lump. I do not understand why it is not showing on the ultrasound. it is clearly there, otherwise my Dr. would not have sent me for a surgeon to assess this. Why would it not be showing on an ultrasound? I would think that a simple lipoma would show up? It is beginning to cause me discomfort when I sit in certain positions for too long. it also causes discomfort when I eat large meals. I have started to eat smaller meals at a time to prevent the discomfort. the report impression says that there is geographic hepatic fatty infiltration and left hepatic lesion and no abnormality or mass noted at the site of the palpable abnormality.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Just get the ultrasound repeated from somewhere else.

Detailed Answer:
I think that you should get a repeat ultrasound done. There should be some explanation for the palpable mass not getting identified. It is possible that the echotexture of the mass matches some other structure like the liver and hence the technician failed to identify it properly. A lipoma is likely to have shown up.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar