Blood tests for myeloma
Myeloma blood tests can help diagnose and monitor myeloma. They also help show how the myeloma is affecting you and how well the myeloma is responding to treatment.
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What is a blood test?
Blood tests are an important way to diagnose and monitor myeloma.
These tests include the following:
- Serum protein electrophoresis – this is a test to find out if an abnormal antibody protein is in the blood and what type it is. If it is found, a second test will be done to find out the type.
- Paraprotein (M protein) level – this is a test to measure the amount of abnormal antibody proteins in the blood.
- Light chains (serum free light chain assay) – this is a test to measure the amount of kappa and lambda light chains there are in the blood.
- Beta-2 microglobulin level (B2M) – this is a test to see how active the myeloma is and to find out the stage of the myeloma. B2M is a protein that is on the surface of most cells in the body. In people with myeloma, the level of B2M is often higher.
We have more information about the cells blood tests look for.
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Other tests for myeloma
You will also have blood tests to show how the myeloma is affecting you. The tests measure the following:
- Blood cell levels (full blood count) – this test measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in your blood. These can be low in people with myeloma.
- Urea and electrolytes (U&Es) and creatinine levels – this test shows how well your kidneys are working.
- Calcium levels – this test measures the level of calcium in the blood. The level can be higher if myeloma cells are affecting your bones.
- Albumin levels – this test measures the level of a protein called albumin in the blood. The level can be low in people who have myeloma. This test is used to help stage the myeloma.
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels – this test measures the amount of a substance called LDH in the blood. This can be higher in patients with myeloma. The level of LDH is also used to help find out the stage of the myeloma.
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About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our myeloma information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
Hughes D, Yong K, Ramasamy K, et al. Diagnosis and management of smouldering myeloma: A British Society for Haematology Good Practice Paper. Br J Haematol. 2024;204(4):1193-1206. Available from: www.doi.org/10.1111/bjh.19333
Sive J, Cuthill K, Hunter H, et al. Guidelines on the diagnosis, investigation and initial treatment of myeloma: a British Society for Haematology/UK Myeloma Forum Guideline. Br J Haematol.2021;193(2):245-268. Available from: www.doi.org/10.1111/bjh.17410
Reviewer
Senior Clinical Research Fellow and Honorary Consultant in Molecular Diagnostics and Leukaemia
Date reviewed
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