Quick Facts
- Sample: 1 mL serum (blood)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turnaround Time: 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Monitor cancer progression — Track multiple myeloma and lymphoma disease activity
- Detect kidney impairment early — Identify glomerular or tubular damage before symptoms worsen
- No doctor referral needed — Order online, visit a local lab, and access results digitally
- Fast, affordable screening — Get answers in ~5 days at a fraction of hospital costs
- Proactive health management — Make informed decisions regarding treatment
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals diagnosed with multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or lymphoma needing disease monitoring
- People with chronic kidney disease or risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, or cadmium exposure
- Those experiencing unexplained symptoms like fatigue, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes, or sudden weight loss
- Patients requiring treatment efficacy tracking for blood cancers or immune disorders
- Health-conscious individuals seeking proactive screening for kidney or immune system function
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online — Select your test, pay securely, and schedule your blood draw.
- Visit a lab — Get your blood drawn at any of the 2,000+ convenient lab locations nationwide.
- Receive results — Access results online in your secure account within days.
FAQ
What does this test measure? It measures beta 2 microglobulin (B2M) protein levels in your blood, reflecting cell turnover and kidney filtration capacity.
Is fasting required before the test? No, fasting is not necessary. Notify the lab of any medications or health conditions.
How accurate is the B2M test? The immunoturbidimetric assay used offers high sensitivity and specificity, validated across clinical settings (Mayo Clinic Labs 2024).
Can elevated B2M indicate cancer? Yes, high levels may suggest blood cancers like myeloma or lymphoma, but require clinical correlation for diagnosis.
How soon can I retest if needed? Your physician will recommend retesting intervals based on your condition, often every 3–6 months for monitoring.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Beta 2 Microglobulin Serum Test measures the concentration of B2M protein in your bloodstream. B2M is present on most cell surfaces and released during normal cell turnover or damage. Elevated serum levels often indicate increased cellular activity, impaired kidney filtration, or active disease processes. This test serves three primary purposes: assessing kidney function and differentiating between glomerular and tubular disorders; monitoring disease progression and treatment response in blood cancers such as multiple myeloma and lymphoma; and evaluating immune system activity in inflammatory or viral conditions (MedlinePlus 2022).
Who would benefit from this test?
You may benefit from this test if you have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or lymphoma, as B2M levels correlate with disease severity and prognosis. Individuals with chronic kidney disease or risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, or occupational cadmium exposure can use B2M to detect early renal impairment. The test also supports monitoring for patients undergoing cancer treatment, helping clinicians assess therapeutic effectiveness. Additionally, people experiencing unexplained symptoms such as chronic fatigue, night sweats, painless lymph node swelling, or sudden weight loss may find this test valuable for diagnostic clarity.
When should I order a Beta 2 Microglobulin Serum Test?
Order this test when your healthcare provider recommends it for diagnosing or monitoring blood cancers, kidney disorders, or immune conditions. You may also order proactively through direct-access labs if you have risk factors for kidney disease, a family history of blood cancers, or are experiencing symptoms like persistent fatigue, unexplained fevers, or swollen lymph nodes. Patients with established myeloma or lymphoma should retest periodically—often every 3–6 months—to track disease progression and treatment response. Those with chronic kidney disease may require more frequent monitoring based on their physician's guidance.
How do I interpret the results?
Your results will indicate your serum B2M concentration in milligrams per liter (mg/L). The normal adult reference range is typically ≤ 2.51 mg/L. Elevated levels suggest increased cell turnover, impaired kidney filtration, or active disease, but do not specify a particular condition. Your results will include physician interpretation to guide next steps.
- ≤ 2.51 mg/L: Normal range → Routine monitoring if risk factors present
- 2.52–4.00 mg/L: Mildly elevated → Clinical correlation; assess kidney function and cancer risk
- 4.01–7.14 mg/L: Moderately elevated → Further evaluation for kidney disease or blood cancers; repeat testing
- ≥ 7.15 mg/L: Significantly elevated → Urgent follow-up; high suspicion for advanced disease or severe kidney impairment
In multiple myeloma patients, B2M values below 4 mg/L are associated with better outcomes, while levels above 4 mg/L suggest poorer prognosis (Mayo Clinic Labs 2024).
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting is required before your Beta 2 Microglobulin Serum Test. Inform the phlebotomist of all medications, supplements, and existing health conditions, as certain drugs and inflammatory states may influence B2M levels. Avoid strenuous exercise immediately before your blood draw, as intense physical activity can temporarily elevate cell turnover markers. Stay hydrated and arrive at your appointment well-rested for optimal sample quality.
How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your specific health circumstances and your physician's recommendations. Use the table below as a general guide.
- Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma or lymphoma: Every 3–6 months or per treatment protocol
- Stable chronic kidney disease: Every 6–12 months
- Monitoring treatment response for blood cancers: Every 3 months or as directed by oncologist
- Proactive screening with risk factors: Annually or as symptoms develop
- Healthy individuals without risk factors: Not routinely indicated; test if symptoms arise
Why early detection matters
Detecting elevated B2M levels early enables timely intervention before conditions become severe or irreversible. In kidney disease, B2M rises before traditional markers like creatinine show abnormalities, allowing early protective measures such as medication adjustments, dietary changes, and blood pressure control (Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences 2024). For blood cancers, baseline B2M levels help stratify prognosis and guide treatment intensity—values below 4 mg/L in multiple myeloma patients correlate with better survival outcomes. Early monitoring also improves quality of life by catching disease progression or treatment complications sooner, empowering you and your healthcare team to adjust therapies proactively. Regular testing transforms B2M from a simple protein marker into a powerful tool for personalized health management.
Related tests you may consider
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) — Measures systemic inflammation that may influence B2M levels and immune activity
Complete Blood Count (CBC) — Screens for blood cancers and immune disorders with abnormal cell counts
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) — Assesses kidney function, electrolytes, and metabolic health in conjunction with B2M
