An individual presents to his physician with generalized weakness and fatigue.Blood is collected and an elevated WBC count with lymphocytosis is noted.Serum protein is moderately decreased,but the urine reagent dipstick does not indicate proteinuria.Upon confirmatory testing with a precipitation test,the urine protein is 4+.Based on other symptoms,the physician suspects multiple myeloma.What might be the cause of the discrepancy in urine protein values?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Reagent dipsticks used for urine protein testing respond mostly to urine albumin and may not detect other proteins, such as those commonly found in multiple myeloma, leading to a false negative result. Confirmatory testing with a precipitation test can detect other types of proteins, including those found in multiple myeloma. The discrepancy in urine protein values may be due to the limitations of the urine dipstick test.

An Individual Presents to His Physician with Generalized Weakness and Fatigue.Blood