[hopeful27]

No M spike but beta-2 microglobulin of 3.7?

by hopeful27 on Wed Jul 30, 2014 8:56 am

Can someone please explain this to me? Is it possible to have no M spike, kappa everything is normal, etc. (she is not a nonsecretory) and have a high beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) of 3.7?

And her kidneys are now fine. So kidney problems can't explain the high B2M as well.

Thanks for any input.

[Multibilly]

Re: No M spike but beta-2 microglobulin of 3.7?

by Multibilly on Wed Jul 30, 2014 9:56 am

This might help you ...

"Lab interpretation - beta-2 microglobulin & M-spike", Myeloma Beacon forum thread started June 28, 2011 (includes feedback from Beacon Medical Advisor Dr. Edward Libby).

[Dr. Adam Cohen]

Re: No M spike but beta-2 microglobulin of 3.7?

by Dr. Adam Cohen on Wed Jul 30, 2014 4:13 pm

Beta-2 microglobulin can be elevated in myeloma but is non-specific, and can be high when there is any perturbation in the immune system, e.g. autoimmune disease, infection, etc. In myeloma, it's really only useful at the time of diagnosis, where it provides prognostic information. After treatment, it's not really helpful for measuring response, so if her M-spike, free light chains, and other markers of her myeloma are now normal, then I wouldn't be too concerned with a mild elevation in beta-2 microglobulin.

Hope this is helpful.