Beta 2 microglobulin test

[deniselb]

I'd like to ask, who has had testing for beta 2 microglobulin? What were the results?

My recent result was 2.70. In 2015 it was 2.56. Normal range is .7 - 1.8.

My rheumatologist told me this is common in autoimmunity and that if she refers patients to a hematologist with a level like mine, they get sent back to her. I'm curious about just how common it is and what other doctors have had to say about it.

Thanks.

[Linda196]

I'v not actually heard of B2M in reference to immune disease, only in established blood cell diseases as a disease activity marker, or the urine levels to establish disease activity in tubular filtration disorders. Even for those, it's not used as a stand alone test or for diagnosis. If there were no other hematologically related labs out of range to use with an altered B2M level. that could explain why a hemotologist would choose not to follow a patient.

Do you  know what units of measurement were used in you lab?  The ranges I'm familiar with are 0-0.3 mcg/ml in urine levels , and 0-3 mcg/ml in blood serum. (mcg is sometimes written as a cursive style "u")

[deniselb]

It's mg/L.

I searched on b2 microglobulin & Sjogren's and I see lots of papers, but I haven't read any of them yet. I'm a little afraid of finding out I'm headed towards lymphoma.

I'm not sure if I ever asked her why she ran it.

Thanks.

[gurs]

Yes, had this done several years ago...Mine was also high at that time...2.58 (0.70-1.80)..went to see a hematologist, and said it was prob autoimmune related? who knows?? our bodies are so not normal and they dont know what to do with us because we are so abnormal.
I dont think I had it tested again...whats the point anymore? can you tell Im frustrated by the whole medical society/autoimmune disorders?
They cant explain anything..need more research. Im interested in finding out what happens with you. I think I will ask my rheumy to run that test in a few months...im curious too.

Dont worry about the Lymphoma thing either. Just have some more testing done and see what they can find. I think my hematologist said I could do bone marrow test, but after running other labs, said didnt really indicate any type of cancer, so we let that go.

Gursie

[susanep]

I have not heard of that either so I can't really add anything to this.

susanep