MyMyelomaTeam

What are beta-2 microglobulins?

Beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) is a protein produced by myeloma cells. It's found in your blood and is used as an important marker to help doctors understand how your myeloma is progressing.

Higher levels of beta-2 microglobulin in your blood are associated with more advanced stages of myeloma Show Full Answer

What are beta-2 microglobulins?

Beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) is a protein produced by myeloma cells. It's found in your blood and is used as an important marker to help doctors understand how your myeloma is progressing.

Higher levels of beta-2 microglobulin in your blood are associated with more advanced stages of myeloma and indicate more aggressive disease. This protein is one of the key biological markers doctors use in the Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) to classify myeloma stages.

When doctors test your blood, they measure B2M levels along with other proteins like albumin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to get a complete picture of your disease status. Lower B2M levels generally indicate earlier-stage disease, while higher levels suggest more advanced myeloma.

For stage 1 myeloma, B2M levels are lower. In stage 3 myeloma, B2M levels are 5.5 milligrams per liter of serum or higher.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

Stage 1 Multiple Myeloma: What To Expect

3 Stages of Myeloma: Understanding Progression