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What are normal beta 2 microglubulin levels in healthy individuals?
(March 25, 2010)
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Beta 2 microglobulin, which is also referred to as B2M is a protein. It is found on the surface of many nucleated cells of our body, especially the white blood cells, but not on the red blood cells. When the levels are higher than normal, it could be an indicator of many diseases or cancers, which primarily affect white blood cells, such as multiple myeloma, kidney disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, or chronic leukemia. Elevated levels of beta 2 microglobulin could also indicate HIV or AIDS.
How do we find what are normal levels of beta 2 microglobulin in a healthy individual? This is done by undergoing a beta 2 microglobulin or B2M test, which analyzes urine, blood or any other body fluids to find if the levels are normal or above normal.
It is difficult to state a figure as being a normal level in a healthy individual, since they differ in persons of different age groups, genders and also those hailing from various ethnic groups or regions. Researchers generally test a group of men and women between ages 20 to 60, to arrive at a mean figure in a certain region.
In Brazil 96 donors, consisting of 36 women and 60 men, with an average age of 33 were studied. Their range varied from 1.05 and 3.9 mg/mL, while the mean was 2.46mg/mL.
In Africa, a test of healthy volunteers revealed a mean of 2.35mg/mL, while another test revealed a mean of 1.36 mg/mL
There are various forms of the tests – blood or urine. While blood tests determine the presence of diseases related to white blood cells, urine tests reveal kidney and renal disease.
In a blood test, 5 mL of blood is collected from a puncture site in the upper arm or the inner elbow. Blood is drawn through a needle into a tube or vial and sent for testing.
In a urine test, urine is collected either over a 24-hour time period, or in a single collection. Care must be taken to refrigerate it, until it reaches the laboratory to prevent it from becoming acidic.
In both the tests, the person’s serum (which is the liquid, yellow part of the blood) is added, along with a few other chemicals, which help to bind the beta 2 microglobulin to the blood or urine, and allow it to be measured. These are put in a machine with centrifugal force for a measured period of time. Test results are usually available in 24 hours.
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Submitted by M T on March 25, 2010 at 12:19
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