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Beta 2-microglobulin in blood and urine
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
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Reference values for beta 2 -microglobulin concentration: in blood serum - 660-2740 ng/ml, in urine - 3.8-251.8 ng/ml. Half-life - 40 min.
Beta 2 -microglobulin is a low-molecular protein of surface antigens of cell nuclei. Its presence in the blood serum is due to the processes of degradation and reparation of individual cellular elements. β 2 -microglobulin freely passes through the membrane of the renal glomeruli, 99.8% of it is then reabsorbed in the proximal part of the renal tubules. A decrease in glomerular filtration contributes to an increase in the level of beta 2 -microglobulin in the blood serum, and impaired renal tubular function leads to the excretion of large amounts of beta2 -microglobulin in the urine. The upper limit of the renal tubular reabsorption capacity is achieved at a beta 2 -microglobulin concentration in the blood serum of 5000 ng/ml. Conditions in which the concentration of serum beta 2 -microglobulin increases include autoimmune diseases, cellular immunity disorders (eg, HIV infection), and conditions after organ transplantation. An increase in the concentration of beta 2 -microglobulin in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with leukemia indicates the involvement of the central nervous system in the process. Determination of beta 2 -microglobulin in the blood and urine is carried out in patients during the diagnosis of glomerulonephritis and tubular nephropathy, as well as to clarify the prognosis in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and especially in patients with multiple myeloma (patients with an increased concentration have a significantly lower life expectancy than patients with normal values).
Determination of beta 2 -microglobulin is necessary for monitoring the treatment of hemoblastoses, myeloma, and control of lymphocyte activation during kidney transplantation.
The concentration of beta 2 -microglobulin in the blood increases in cases of renal failure, acute viral infections, immunodeficiencies, including HIV infection, autoimmune diseases, hemoblastoses (B-cell), myeloma, acute leukemia and lymphomas with CNS damage.
The concentration of beta 2 -microglobulin in urine increases in diabetic nephropathy and heavy metal intoxication (cadmium salts).
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