Beta 2 microglobulin (B2M) is a protein associated with the outer membrane of many cells including lymphocytes. B2M is present in small amounts in serum, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine of normal people, and to a much greater degree in the urine and plasma of patients with tubular protein anemia, renal failure, or kidney transplants. Increased production or destruction of these cells causes B2M levels in the blood to increase. This increase is seen in people with cancers involving white blood cells, but it is particularly meaningful in people newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma. B2M Testing is done primarily when evaluating a person for certain kinds of cancer affecting white blood cells including chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and multiple myeloma or kidney disease.
Catalogue Number: 41680
