Pathology tests database

Sample and container requirements

Serum

Minimum volume required

1mL serum

Special requirements

None

Patient preparation

None

Sample viability

Turnaround time

1 day

Reference range

Serum (Adult): 1.2 – 2.4 mg/L

Clinical guidance

β-2 microglobulin is a small lymphoid cell surface protein. It exists in the serum as a stable monomer with no significant diurnal variation. Measurement of β2-microglobulin indirectly reflects tumour mass, growth rate and renal function. Serum concentrations can be used as a useful prognostic marker in myeloma but is also raised in Sjogrens syndrome, HIV related disease and after organ transplantation. Concentrations are raised in renal tubular dysfunction irrespective of cause (e.g. heavy metal, cytotoxic drugs). Please refer to LabTestsOnlineUK for more information: https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/beta-2-microglobulin-tumour-marker

Notes