WHAT ARE LIGHT CHAINS?
There are two types of light chains: kappa and lambda. If a patient has kappa myeloma, their doctor will watch for a rise in the kappa numbers. Likewise, if a patient has lambda myeloma, the lambda number will be watched. This balance of kappa and lambda together is called the kappa/lambda ratio which can also indicate a change in levels of disease. "The ratio or proportion between the kappa and lambda light chains indicates an excess production of one chain over the other, and therefore can be used as an indication of disease progression or remission," said Dr. Christina Gasparetto of Duke University.

Kathryn, not necessarily. Some people have light chain only myeloma. They don't produce an m spike. Some patients can start with an m spike and then convert to light chain only. So that's why you need a full myeloma panel and sometimes that 24 hour urine to check everything💗😉

Just some general info on this and test results:

Light chains are proteins produced by immune cells called plasma cells. Also called kappa and lambda light chains, they link together with other proteins (heavy chains) to form immunoglobulins (also known as antibodies) that target and neutralize specific threats to the body such as bacteria and viruses.

WHAT IT MEANS. FREE KAPPA/LAMBDA RATIO * . 26-‐1.65 The ratio of kappa to lambda is an important indicator. When one level (kappa or lambda)is high and the other is low, this is an indication that myeloma is active. If both kappa and lambda are increased, it can show a disease other than myeloma (like kidney disease).

The M-protein is made up of two types of molecules: heavy chain molecules and light chain molecules. The body produces more light chain molecules than it needs, so there are always free light chain molecules circulating in your blood. As abnormal myeloma cells produce more and more M-proteins, the level of free light chain molecules rises in the blood. There are two types of light chains: kappa and lambda chains. The ratio or proportion between the kappa and lambda light chains indicates an excess production of one chain over the other, and therefore can be used as an indication of disease progression or remission.

https://www.myeloma.org/types-of-myeloma

https://www.velcade.com/files/pdfs/Lab_Test_Tra...

In people with light chain multiple myeloma, there will be a much higher level of kappa chains compared to lambda chains, or vice versa, because the M proteins are producing too much of one specific light chain. Urine testing can also be helpful in detecting light chain myeloma caused by overproduction of lambda light chains.

I have Lambda myeloma which, regrettably, is more aggressive than kappa myeloma. However, the outcome will probably be affected by your response to what drug regime you are on. I would speak with your haematologist. I am one of those people who spends their time frightening myself to death by reading too much into these articles online. So, don't do what I do.