B2-Microglobulin, Serum

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1) Can Beta 2 Microglobulin test be done in what all samples?

This assay can be done in blood and urine . 

2) What is the significance of this test in malignancies?

When the patient is diagnosed with multiple myeloma or some other cancers, this test is used in monitoring disease activity and effectiveness of the treatment. It gives us an idea about the tumor burden in the body. So we can say that β2M is a therapeutic and prognostic marker in cancer patients.

3) What is the significance of this test in kidney diseases?

Indications for β2M testing in kidney disease include:

1. When a clinician is suspecting kidney disease, β2M may be ordered along with other kidney function tests to evaluate kidney disease and find the location of kidney damage whether it is glomerular or tubular. Higher levels in blood indicate kidney glomerular dysfunction.
2. Monitoring patients with end-stage kidney disease and chronic renal failure.
3. In patients on long-term dialysis (5 years and above), excess of β2M can accumulate in blood and subsequently in bone, joint spaces, tendons causing synovitis and resulting in dialysis related amyloidosis (DRA). This test helps to evaluate dialysis patients for DRA along with radiologic testing.
4. Monitoring for early kidney dysfunction in individuals who are exposed to high levels of heavy metals like cadmium or mercury, which may occur with occupational exposure. Higher β2M means early damage of renal tubules. However, specific blood or urine tests for heavy metals will help in definitive diagnosis.
5. In renal transplant patients.

4) What are the symptoms of kidney disease?

Various symptoms of kidney disease include reduced urine output, blood in urine, foamy urine due to proteins, fluid retention /overload causing swelling in face, around eyes and legs (facial and pedal edema), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps due to electrolyte imbalance, poor appetite, weight loss, fatigue, weakness, lethargy, reduced attention span, confusion and insomnia.
 

5) Do I need to add any other test?

Yes. β2M levels are also tested in patient urine sample for complete interpretation and evaluation of disease activity. Biological reference range for urine samples is up to 300ng/ml. Both blood and urine test together helps in determining the severity and spread (staging) in cases of Multiple myeloma. In kidney patients, this test helps us in determining whether patient is suffering from dysfunction in kidney glomeruli or tubules. Higher urinary levels are seen in damaged renal tubules because lesser amounts get reabsorbed in the proximal tubules.
 

6) Is there any interference which can affect β2M test results?

Yes. Drugs like lithium, cyclosporine, cisplatin, carboplatin, interferon-α and antibiotics like gentamicin or aminoglycoside can results in higher β2M levels. Also any recently carried out nuclear medicine procedures or use of radiographic contrast dye will affect the final results.
 

7) What are the rarer utilities of this test?

Higher values of β2M are seen in patients with peripheral artery disease. β2M levels also correlate with risk of cardiovascular diseases and cause of death in patients having kidney disease or on dialysis.

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