Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Sign In

26449 Beta-2 Microglobulin, Random, Urine (B2MU)

Beta-2 Microglobulin, Random, Urine (B2MU)
Test Code: B2MRUSO
Synonyms/Keywords

​B2MRUSO, U B2MRUSO, Beta-2 Microglobulin, Urine (FB2MU), Beta-2 Microglobulin, Urine (B2MU), Beta 2 Microglobulin Test, Beta-2 Microglobulin, Urine, B2M, (Beta-2 Microglobulin) Urine

Useful For

​Evaluation of renal tubular damage

Monitoring exposure to cadmium and mercury

Specimen Requirements
Fasting RequiredSpecimen TypePreferred Container/TubeAcceptable Container/TubeSpecimen VolumeSpecimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​Urine​Plastic, urine tube​3 mL​1 mL
Collection Processing Instructions

​Patient Preparation: For 12 hours before specimen collection, do not take multivitamins or dietary supplements containing biotin (vitamin B7), which is commonly found in hair, skin, and nail supplements and multivitamins.

 

Collection Instructions:

1. Patient should empty bladder.

2. Have patient drink at least 0.5 liters of water.

3. Within 1 hour, collect a random urine specimen.

4. Add 1 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as preservative to the collection. This preservative is intended to achieve a pH of between approximately 6 and 8.

Specimen Stability Information
Specimen TypeTemperatureTime
​Urine ​​Frozen (preferred)​14 Days
​Refrigerated​48 Hours
Rejection Criteria
Specimen with pH <6Reject
Interference

​Degradation of beta-2 microglobulin occurs at pH <6.0.

Performing Laboratory Information
Performing LocationDay(s) Test PerformedAnalytical TimeMethodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Clinic Laboratories​Monday, Wednesday, Friday​1-3 Days​Automated Chemiluminescent Immunometric Assay
Reference Lab
Test Information

​Beta-2 microglobulin is a low-molecular-weight protein that forms the light chain component of class I histocompatibility (HLA: human leukocyte antigen) antigens.

Increased urine levels are seen in proximal tubular renal damage due to a variety of causes, including cadmium, mercury, lithium, or aminoglycoside toxicity; pyelonephritis; and Balkan nephropathy, a chronic interstitial nephritis of unknown etiology.

Reference Range Information
Performing LocationReference Range
​Mayo Clinic Laboratories​< or = 300 mcg/L
Interpretation

​Increased excretion is consistent with renal tubular damage.

Beta-2 microglobulin excretion is increased 100 to 1000 times normal levels in cadmium-exposed workers.

Outreach CPTs
CPTModifier
(if needed)
QuantityDescriptionComments
​82232​1
Synonyms/Keywords

​B2MRUSO, U B2MRUSO, Beta-2 Microglobulin, Urine (FB2MU), Beta-2 Microglobulin, Urine (B2MU), Beta 2 Microglobulin Test, Beta-2 Microglobulin, Urine, B2M, (Beta-2 Microglobulin) Urine

Ordering Applications
Ordering ApplicationDescription
​COM​Beta-2 Microglobulin, Urine (B2MU)
​Cerner​Beta-2 Microglobulin, Urine (FB2MU)
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting RequiredSpecimen TypePreferred Container/TubeAcceptable Container/TubeSpecimen VolumeSpecimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​Urine​Plastic, urine tube​3 mL​1 mL
Collection Processing

​Patient Preparation: For 12 hours before specimen collection, do not take multivitamins or dietary supplements containing biotin (vitamin B7), which is commonly found in hair, skin, and nail supplements and multivitamins.

 

Collection Instructions:

1. Patient should empty bladder.

2. Have patient drink at least 0.5 liters of water.

3. Within 1 hour, collect a random urine specimen.

4. Add 1 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as preservative to the collection. This preservative is intended to achieve a pH of between approximately 6 and 8.

Specimen Stability Information
Specimen TypeTemperatureTime
​Urine ​​Frozen (preferred)​14 Days
​Refrigerated​48 Hours
Rejection Criteria
Specimen with pH <6Reject
Interference

​Degradation of beta-2 microglobulin occurs at pH <6.0.

Useful For

​Evaluation of renal tubular damage

Monitoring exposure to cadmium and mercury

Reference Range Information
Performing LocationReference Range
​Mayo Clinic Laboratories​< or = 300 mcg/L
Interpretation

​Increased excretion is consistent with renal tubular damage.

Beta-2 microglobulin excretion is increased 100 to 1000 times normal levels in cadmium-exposed workers.

For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing LocationDay(s) Test PerformedAnalytical TimeMethodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Clinic Laboratories​Monday, Wednesday, Friday​1-3 Days​Automated Chemiluminescent Immunometric Assay
Reference Lab
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPTModifier
(if needed)
QuantityDescriptionComments
​82232​1
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.