Question 1

i recently had an mri for headaches. ive had them in the past but nothing ever came from them. this time the dr said it says low marrow signal but that there is nothing to worry about. is this cancer?

Accepted Answer

Low marrow signal: I would like the radiologist' s opinion as to the significance of low bone marrow signal on MRI. Your physician should sit down with the radiologist to determine whether further studies or referral to other specialists such as a hematologist is advisable to rule out myeloma or other hematologic disorders. It has been mentioned by some clinicians that low marrow signal may not be inconsequential.

Question 2

brain mri showed low marrow signal is this concerning?  i was having a followup mri for an incidental meningioma found dec 2016.  it was stable.

Accepted Answer

It is insignificant: Marrow signal reported in a MRI is rarely helpful. its significance, if any, is minimal. I would not be concerned about it. Just focus on the Meningioma.

Question 3

what does diffusely low t1 marrow signal mean?

Accepted Answer

Depends: This finding can be a sign of anemia or a much more significant problem with the bone marrow.  Feel free to set up a virtual consult and I'd be happy to review your specific MRI imaging and discuss the differential and recommended next steps.

Question 4

low bone marrow is it a cancer?

Accepted Answer

Low bone marrow: Not sure what you mean by low bone marrow.  Was a bone marrow biopsy performed that shows less than the normal number of cells?  Why was the bone marrow looked at in the first place?  Please ask the question again with more details.

Question 5

can medullary sponge kidneys cause low bone marrow count?

Accepted Answer

No: Medullary sponge kidney is a very benign condition that does not disturb the function of the kidneys. It is mainly a radiological abnormality and can be associated with kidney stones of small variety usually in the kidney it self visible as small calcifications.
It should not affect your bone marrow in any way.

Question 6

is elevated kappa/lambda ratio on serum flc test inherently monoclonal, even if neither kappa or lambda is elevated? ratio high b/c lambda is low, not because of high kappa. spep/upep & ife normal. high iga, low igg. clean marrow biopsy. polyclonal?

Accepted Answer

FLC not useful: FLC and kappa/lambda ratio are not useful tests. A normal K/L ratio does not exclude monoclonal gammopathy and an abnormal one is not diagnostic of one. From what you described you do not have monoclonal gammopathy and certainly have no multiple myeloma.

Question 7

unexplained high platelets (572), wbc (17.2), leukocytes, neutrophils, low hemaglobin. bone marrow, jak2 and lupus test negative, ana positive. help?!

Accepted Answer

Reactive/ autoimmune: Discuss further with your hematologist. Certain conditions like iron deficiency , infection /inflammation vs autoimmune vs. Other solid tumor need to be ruled out. Need to check iron level, bcr/abl, imaging study like ct scan chest /abd/ pelvis  will be needed. If you smoke - will suggest you to quit smoking., need to do work - up to find the anemia as well. If iron is low - GI w/u is needed.

Question 8

what would cause extremely low hypocellular bone marrow - 15% normal, 65% really hypocellular and 15% mild-moderately low; i am 40 yr old male with 20lbs weight loss, spinal pain, sob, headaches, low ferritin and really high b12, folate; normal spep.

Accepted Answer

Not a fixed number!: Bone marrow cellularity tends to be very variable in different people and there is room for sampling error as the marrow is not a uniform sheet of cell; instead it is normally quite patchy. if your blood counts(CBC) are normal, then the cause of your weight loss is not related to your Bone marrow cellularity. Look for other causes...elsewhere in the body.

Question 9

with high mch and mcv and hematokrit is there safe with ferritin injection?it is recommended after low ferritin in bone marrow and  prescription to tablet

Accepted Answer

Not clear: The question is not entirely clear. A high MCV and MCH anemia is not usually due to iron defiency alone. Therefore, other factors may be leading to anemia, and iron will not treat the other cause(s). As to safety, iron infusions are usually safe, but rarely there are severe reactions. Therefore, iron infusions should never be considered until other types of treatments have not worked.

Question 10

i am a 50 year old female who had mri on neck area to investigate nerve compression. the mri reported instead- having low t1 diffuse bone marrow signals and blood test high mpv. is there any indication what this is and if its serious? many thanks?

Accepted Answer

: There are not enough info for making any conclusion although the MRI finding and high MPV are abnormal and they could be associated. Please follow with your family doctor for an appropriate discussion. Take care.

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Doctor answers about:

Low marrow

A member asked:

I recently had an mri for headaches. ive had them in the past but nothing ever came from them. this time the dr said it says low marrow signal but that there is nothing to worry about. is this cancer?

A member asked:

Brain mri showed low marrow signal is this concerning? i was having a followup mri for an incidental meningioma found dec 2016. it was stable.

A member asked:

What does diffusely low t1 marrow signal mean?

A member asked:

Low bone marrow is it a cancer?

A member asked:

Can medullary sponge kidneys cause low bone marrow count?

A member asked:

Is elevated kappa/lambda ratio on serum flc test inherently monoclonal, even if neither kappa or lambda is elevated? ratio high b/c lambda is low, not because of high kappa. spep/upep & ife normal. high iga, low igg. clean marrow biopsy. polyclonal?

A member asked:

Unexplained high platelets (572), wbc (17.2), leukocytes, neutrophils, low hemaglobin. bone marrow, jak2 and lupus test negative, ana positive. help?!

A member asked:

What would cause extremely low hypocellular bone marrow - 15% normal, 65% really hypocellular and 15% mild-moderately low; i am 40 yr old male with 20lbs weight loss, spinal pain, sob, headaches, low ferritin and really high b12, folate; normal spep.

A member asked:

With high mch and mcv and hematokrit is there safe with ferritin injection?it is recommended after low ferritin in bone marrow and prescription to tablet

A member asked:

I am a 50 year old female who had mri on neck area to investigate nerve compression. the mri reported instead- having low t1 diffuse bone marrow signals and blood test high mpv. is there any indication what this is and if its serious? many thanks?

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