Beta 2 Microglobulin

Beta-2- Microglobulin:

Why Beta-2 Microglobulin test?

CLINICAL INFORMATION :

Beta(β)-2 Microglobulinor total beta(β)-2 microglobulin or B2M is a protein, with a low molecular weight with sequence homology to immunoglobulin i.e is associated with major histocompatibility complex proteins and thus is present on the surface of all nucleated cells. Beta(β)-2 Microglobulin is a part of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) complex cell surface protein.  It is found on the surface of many cells on their cell membranes(mainly by B-Lymphocytes – Hence useful in HIV as a tool for diagnosis as a marker and also by tumor cells) and shed by the cells in small amounts that are excreted in the urine. Test for Beta(β)-2 Microglobulinis performed usually in 24hours urine test and/or CSF analysis or blood specimen for screening tumor marker for diagnosis of certain cancers of the bone marrow or blood (multiple myloma, lymphoma, and leukemia), kidney damage in the kidney (renal tubular disease hence Beta(β)-2 Microglobulin is used to assess tubular dysfunction)and liver diseases, multiple sclerosis, certain viral infections e.g cytomegalovirus, inflammations caused by autoimmune disorders and intakes of certain drugs like lithium, cisplatin, and antibiotics such as aminoglycoside, etc. These elevated levels of Beta(β)-2 Microglobulin reflect the severity of cancer or its higher advanced stage such as metastasis to the spine or spinal cord [higher levels of Beta(β)-2 Microglobulin in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) indicates spread of cancer to spinal cord and/or brain] etc, and also for the prognosis of cancer treatment is effective.

General instructions:

Sample Requirement: Specimen - Blood sample collected from the vein. Test Preparation: None.

NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presenting complaints / signs or symptoms:

SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.  

This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory RTDIAGNOSTICS provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centers to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.