Hi all - I have been diagnosed with seronegative Sjogrens (positive lip biopsy). I recently reviewed my last labs (from 9 months ago) on my health plan website, and they are showing with an additional result/diagnosis of Plasma Protein Metabolism Disorder.
When my Dr's practice called me with the results of that set of labs, they said that there was nothing unusual. At my last visit - two weeks ago - my doctor referred to one unusual result, but didn't indicate that any follow-up was needed. I was too busy trying to ask about 700 other questions to realize that I was missing something I should have been paying attention to ...
I tried to google the term, but am not finding anything straightforward enough for a sjogrens/medical newbie, like me, to understand. I gather that it can indicate an autoimmune issue, and can cause issues with the kidneys and liver (which would explain my rheumatologist's interest in palpating my abdomen at my last visit). Does anyone have any light they could shed on what Plasma Protein Metabolic Disorder might be, and anything I should be on the lookout for in relation to it? I have another rheumatologist appt scheduled for mid-September, but I thought someone here might have heard of this and could help me to understand until then.
Thanks for any help you can offer!
Mirabel
Hi Mirabel, I've never heard of Plasma Protein Metabolism Disorder and you're right that Google isn't much help in that either.
A condition that some Sjoggies have is monoclonal gammmopathy (MGUS) in which the bone marrow produces an unusual plasma protein called the M protein. If levels of the M protein rise, it increases the risk of myelomas. It's another parameter that just needs monitoring every year or so to see if it increases.
But I'm not sure what plasma protein metabolism would be. You should contact your doctor and ask for information on what this parameter measures and its implications for you.
Please let us know what the doc says about it.