4. Age
Statistics show that a person’s age is the most likely indicator of the presence of MGUS in affected individuals. The majority of diagnosis occur in patients that are over the age of 70-years old. However, there are cases of MGUS developing in men as young as 60-years old. It’s for this reason that doctors recommend seniors over the age of 60 should receive at least one medical checkup every year.
As we age, the body starts to experience a breakdown in protein synthesis. This slowdown results in the development of a wide range of adverse health disorders and conditions in the affected individual. As a result, the patient may start to notice the signs of aging, such as wrinkles in the skin and hair loss. People over the age of 60-years old are also at risk of developing degenerative bone diseases, such as arthritis.
Some doctors believe that the aging process is the primary factor causing the onset of MGUS in affected individuals. If you are over the age of 60-years old, make sure you visit your doctor annually for a checkup.