Blood test for total protein is undeniably important, since protein is responsible for many functions in the human body, namely:

• responsible for the ability of blood to coagulate and for its fluidity;
• sets the volume of blood in the vessels;
• responsible for the transmission of vital important substances By blood vessels(these substances include fats, hormones, and other compounds);
• responsible for stability pH value blood; supports protective functions body.

Total blood protein includes albumin and globulins. Albumin is mainly produced in the liver, and globulins are synthesized by lymphocytes.

Blood protein must be determined in cases where the following diseases are suspected:

• any disorders associated with reduced immunity (infectious diseases, various systemic disorders)
• collagenosis
• disorders of the kidneys and liver
• neoplasms
• thermal burns
• anorexia, bulimia

In order to determine the amount of protein in the blood, it is necessary to take the test strictly on an empty stomach. morning time. The norm is a protein level of 66-88 g/l for adults and children over 14 years of age. For children under 1 year old, the protein norm is 44-73 g/l, for children 1-2 years old - 56-75 g/l, for children 2-14 years old this figure ranges from 60 to 80 g/l.

Protein deficiency in the blood can be observed when physiological changes in the body, that is, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, during long-term immobilization, as well as in children under 7 years of age. Reduced level protein in the blood is called hypoproteinemia . A relative decrease in blood protein levels usually occurs when the volume of blood in the system increases.

An absolute lack of protein in the blood can be a sign of the following diseases:

• limited intake of proteins from food. This occurs during fasting, diets, refusal of protein foods, various functional disorders digestive system(pancreatitis and others), with prolonged inflammatory diseases intestines and other diseases accompanied by decreased digestibility of proteins;
• various liver diseases that lead to disruption of protein synthesis;
• extensive burns, constant bleeding, chronic disorders kidneys also lead to a decrease in protein levels in the blood, since in these conditions the body intensively loses protein;
• protein breaks down when the body overheats for a long time, thermal burns, cancer, intense training and other stress, as well as hyperfunction thyroid gland(thyrotoxicosis);
• in the case when the protein goes beyond the bed of the vessel;
• water poisoning (excess water in the body).

Increased protein is rare and is a sign of the following pathologies:

• autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune thyroiditis;
• acute infections;
• chronic infections;
• lack of water in the body;
• malignant tumors with excessive production of harmful proteins.

An elevated level of protein in the blood is medically called hyperproteinemia .

When interpreting a blood test, it is necessary to take into account that excess or insufficient protein may be caused by certain medications, such as corticosteroids and estrogen-containing drugs ( oral contraceptives and others). It is also important to consider what time of day the analysis was taken. It is not for nothing that blood sampling is recommended to be done in the morning, since at night the level of protein in the blood changes slightly. Another factor to remember is what position the patient was in when the blood was drawn. The protein level always increases if the patient is lying down and suddenly stands up. If the tourniquet is applied too tightly to the arm when drawing blood, it can compress the blood vessels and cause an increase in protein levels.

Only a doctor can correctly decipher the result of a blood test, so if the protein is increased or decreased, the patient must contact his or her primary care physician. family doctor. Even if the deviation from the norm is insignificant, you should immediately consult with a specialist in order to prevent the condition from worsening and to identify pathology in time, if any. Protein levels outside the normal range are detectable medicinal correction, after which it is necessary to re-take a blood test to determine the effectiveness of the therapy.

Everything in our body should be in complete harmony. Then the person feels good, and illnesses bypass him. If any disturbance occurs, we feel it and wonder what is wrong. The easiest way to detect failures at an early stage is to take a test; it can tell a lot about the state of the body.

Human blood has a very complex composition and performs various functions. It contains the most various substances, including . There are two types of protein compounds in the blood: globulins.

Globulins perform the function of immune reactions. That is, they participate in those processes that are associated with the reactions of the immune system to external stimuli.

Albumins perform much more tasks: they are responsible for the composition of the blood, its fluidity and viscosity, maintain alkaline and acid balance, and also regulate its circulation.

Albumins are called fractional proteins and carry other substances in the blood.

Without proteins, blood would not be the very liquid that is decisive in our body. This is why it is so important to get tested on time and monitor your blood composition.

Here are a few more functions that protein performs in the blood:

• separates all blood components and maintains them in a suspended state
• prevents the formation of clots
• controls
• regulates pH balance in the blood
• transports essential microelements, including lipids, minerals, other biological compounds entering tissues and organs
• controls the volume of blood in the vessels

As you can see, proteins carry out very important tasks, which are necessary for normal functioning person and well-being.

Preparation and analysis procedure

In order to get tested, you need to come to any clinic. Usually prescribed for general examination and any pathologies, since this analysis allows you to determine if there are any deviations. The doctor may collect data on the content of certain substances or the overall qualitative composition of the blood.

Taking tests is not very pleasant, but before that you need to relax and not worry. Currently, all instruments provide maximum comfort, so even small children can easily tolerate the procedure.

Explanation: normal blood protein levels by age

The amount of protein is measured, and the indicators can be normal, increased or decreased. Depending on the results, the doctor may prescribe additional ones or give a conclusion that the person is healthy.

Each age has its own norm for protein levels in the blood. Men and women have them total number approximately the same, so no distinction is made by gender.

• In newborns, the norm is 43-76 g/l of blood
• For children from 1 year to 5 years normal indicators 60-74 g/l
• In children from 5 to 15 years old, the norm is 51-77 g/l
• For adults, this figure should be in the range of 64-83 g/l

Analysis can determine the content:

• total protein, that is, the amount of all blood proteins
• the amount of albumins (fractional proteins), which make up almost half of the sum of all protein compounds
• globulins, which are also divided into several types
• C-reactive proteins, the content of which is very low, but they can signal serious pathologies
• , which is responsible for oxygen metabolism and is found in red blood cells -

Causes of increased protein in the blood

First of all, you should know that increased content can be absolute and relative.

At absolute increase There is no decrease in blood volume, it does not become thicker. This may indicate:

• heavy infectious diseases which may be accompanied by purulent inflammation
• chronic inflammatory diseases in which the body gradually breaks down
• the presence of malignant neoplasms
• autoimmune diseases that damage large areas of body tissue (rheumatism, glomerulonephritis and other diseases)

As you can see, an absolute increase in the amount of protein can indicate a very serious illnesses, which very often cannot be cured.

A relative increase in the amount of proteins occurs with blood thickening and appears in the following cases:

• severe overheating of the body and dehydration due to sunstroke
• poisoning accompanied by profuse vomiting and severe dehydration
• intestinal obstruction
• major blood loss resulting from any cause
• acute infections that are accompanied frequent stools or vomiting, which also leads to dehydration
• burn disease with extensive burns skin and mucous membranes
• vitamin A hypervitaminosis
• overdose of certain medications
• long-term use of hormonal corticosteroid drugs

The relative increase is associated with a decrease in the amount of fluid circulating in the body, which is why the blood thickens. An increase in the amount of proteins is always associated with severe conditions or chronic diseases, with a common cold, their content will be normal, so this indicator should pay close attention.

Very in rare cases indicators may be elevated if blood sampling is performed incorrectly.

This happens due to the inexperience and negligence of doctors, so it is best to take the test again to confirm concerns. If a tourniquet is applied to a vein in the forearm, this may lead to abnormal readings. In addition, after active physical activity the protein content may increase briefly. This also applies to a sudden change in body position from a horizontal to a vertical state. This deviation lasts no more than 30 minutes, so very rarely, for these reasons, test results are distorted.

You cannot independently determine whether the amount of proteins in the blood is increased or not. Most often predict increased level possible due to a state of dehydration that may occur for the reasons listed above. In this situation, a person should in any case consult a doctor for help and not ignore the increased readings.

In the case when protein increases in absolute terms, it is impossible to understand this on your own. Many diseases develop without severe symptoms or do not cause great inconvenience to the person. This is why so many people go to the doctor too late, when they have to endure the pain and feeling unwell no longer possible. Unfortunately, most often it is too late, since the disease reaches a chronic stage and cannot be cured.

Among the globulins that are responsible for immune reactions, there are a number of immunoglobulins, from which immunoglobulin E (IgE) must be isolated.

Its content in the blood should not exceed 0.001% among all immunoglobulins. If this happens, then we can talk about allergic reaction. The fact is that when it gets into the blood, immune system gives a signal mast cells and they begin to produce histamine. At the same time, the concentration of immunoglobulin increases. Therefore, in case of allergies, doctors prescribe to check the level of IgE and determine whether a person has a reaction to a particular substance or not.

Useful video - Blood test for protein:

When an allergy occurs, a person experiences obvious symptoms, for example, redness of the eyes, swelling of the nasal mucosa, constant sneezing, rash and itching of the skin, cough. From these symptoms we can immediately say that the concentration of a specific protein in the blood has increased, but it will not show an excess of the norm; special diagnostics should be carried out.

Any deviations from the norm indicate some pathological processes in the body that must be urgently stopped. This applies to both common colds and the most serious illnesses. Therefore, it is so important to constantly see a doctor and get tested on time to detect the disease on early stage and begin effective treatment.

Blood protein is represented by albumins and globulins. If the function of the latter is mainly associated with immunological reactions, then albumins perform many different tasks: maintain the viscosity and fluidity of the blood, acid-base balance, constant temperature circulating blood. In addition, fractional proteins carry out the transfer steroid hormones and other important substances.

During a biochemical blood test, both total protein and its individual components can be determined - albumins and their content by fraction, globulins and their class composition. It is worth noting that such an indicator as total blood protein, although it is an integral part of the analysis, does not carry much diagnostic significance.

• In newborns – 43-76 g/l;
• In children 1-5 years old – 60-74 g/l;
• From 5 to 15 years – 51-77 g/l;
• In adults – 64-83 g/l.

Reasons for increasing total protein

An increase in the level of total protein in the blood is a rather rare phenomenon due to the fact that its causes are usually very serious. It is also worth noting that the increase can be absolute, when the amount of plasma proteins increases without changing the volume of circulating blood, and relative, which is associated with blood thickening.

A relative increase in total protein is noted when:

• Diarrhea and debilitating vomiting, which are accompanied by exicosis, and as a result, a decrease in the amount of fluid in the entire body;
• Intestinal obstruction, which causes an obstacle to the absorption of water from the digestive tract;
• Cholera, which is characterized by increased blood viscosity
• Acute bleeding can also provoke an increase in protein due to significant fluid loss.

The reasons for the absolute increase in protein in the blood are even more serious:

• Malignant tumors that have their own perverted metabolism and intensely produce proteins;
• Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus, in which the body's immune system shows aggression against its own healthy cells and tissues;
• Chronic course of infectious and inflammatory processes in which protein enters the blood from destroyed tissues;
• Sepsis.

An increase in the level of total protein in the blood cannot be accidental and is always associated with a threat to the patient’s life. Therefore, when hyperproteinemia is detected in externally healthy people analysis of protein fractions and a number of studies are prescribed.

Decreased protein in the blood

The reasons for a decrease in protein levels in the blood are more common than the reasons for its increase. Hypoproteinemia can also be absolute and relative, and the second occurs only when a person consumes too much water - the so-called “water poisoning”. In principle, the detection of hydremia gives reason to believe increased thirst, which is an integral symptom diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus.

An absolute decrease in protein levels in the blood can be caused by many factors:

• Compliance with diets and fasting, causing a low intake of protein in the body;
• Narrowing of the esophagus, gastritis and other diseases that can reduce a person’s consumption of protein foods. In addition, in some cases with stomach disease and duodenum note a violation of the production of pepsin, which breaks down proteins into simple peptide chains and amino acids. Of course, this affects the absorption and digestion of protein;
• Liver diseases - hepatitis, cholecystitis, cirrhosis, carcinomas. Any liver disease reduces the production of bile, the most important part of digestive juice, which leads to low protein absorption. In addition, a significant part of blood albumin is synthesized directly in the parenchyma of this organ;
• Increased protein breakdown, which can be observed with prolonged fever, a significant increase in body temperature, as well as with extensive burns and frostbite.
• High physical activity without making the necessary adjustments to the diet can also lead to a decrease in protein in the blood plasma;
• Exudative inflammation, in which a significant part of the proteins comes out along with the liquid - exudate. Much less frequently, loss of blood protein can also occur with the release of transudate during the formation of edema and dropsy;
• Kidney diseases in which protein is excreted in the urine - pyelonephritis, nephrosis and some others.

Increases and decreases in total blood protein are not specific sign any disease, but allows us to judge the presence of chronic or acute pathological processes in the body.

Protein in the blood when performing a biochemical analysis can tell a lot about your state of health. In this case, protein is a combined concept, since there are concepts of total protein, and there are separate fractions. And all these fractions are important for the human body.

Human blood consists of 54% plasma and 46% formed elements (erythrocytes, platelets, leukocyte cells). Plasma is the liquid part of blood containing water, a suspension of proteins, organic non-protein compounds and inorganic salts. Normally, about 6-8% of all plasma is proteins. The most important proteins in blood plasma are albumin, globulin fractions and fibrinogen.

Important. The level of protein in plasma allows you to assess the condition of organs such as the liver, kidneys, pancreas, identify disturbances in carbohydrate, lipid or protein metabolism, determine micronutrient deficiencies, etc.

Total protein consists of albumin, and four globulin fractions (alpha1, alpha2, beta and gamma globulins). The separation of proteins into fractions is based on their mobility during electrophoresis.

Proteins in the blood also vary in solubility. Albumins are a type of protein that is soluble in water; globulins require the presence of salts to dissolve.

Important. Separation of proteins into fractions simplifies diagnosis, since in many diseases dysproteinemia is observed, that is, the concentration of individual proteins in the blood is disturbed.

Almost all proteins (except immunoglobulins and peptide hormones) are synthesized by liver cells. Plasmocytes are responsible for the synthesis of immunoglobulins, and the production of peptide hormones is carried out by the glands of the endocrine system.

Attention. The protein content in the blood is normally a constant value and changes with damage to organs that are involved in protein synthesis and metabolism.

Albumin levels can increase with dehydration and blood thickening. An increase in this fraction is observed in diseases of the intestines and liver, as well as in the presence of foci of purulent infection in the body.

Acute-phase proteins (, haptoglobins, fibrinogen, etc.) are the first to react to the presence of an infectious-inflammatory process.

The lifespan of proteins in the blood ranges from several days to several weeks. Utilization of “aged” proteins occurs in the liver using endocytosis.

The role of protein in the body

Attention. Since proteins are involved in the most important biochemical processes in human body, their levels are a valuable diagnostic indicator and are used in biochemical blood tests.

Quantitatively, most of the total protein is represented by albumins (transthyretin and albumin). They make up from 50 to 70% of the total protein in the blood.

Transthyretin is prealbumin. This blood protein is responsible for transporting thyroid hormones: thyroxine and triiodothyronine.

Albumin acts as a protein reserve, maintains the colloid-osmotic balance of the blood, and is responsible for the binding and transport of fatty acids ( fatty acids), And bile acids, SG (steroid hormones). Albumin also transports inorganic calcium and magnesium ions.

What are globulins needed for?

Alpha globulins include:

• alpha1 – antitrypsin, which acts as an inhibitor of proteolytic enzymes;
• thyroxine-binding protein in the blood that binds and transports the thyroid hormone – thyroxine;
• retinol binding protein that transports vitamin A (retinol);
• , which is the second blood clotting factor;
• lipid transport lipoprotein;
• vitamin D-binding protein in the blood, which binds and transports calciferol;
• macroglobulin, which transports zinc and proteinases;
• antithrombin 3, which inhibits blood clotting;
• ceruloplasmin, which transports copper ions;
• transcortin, which binds and transports hormones (cortisol and corticosterone).

The fraction of beta-globulin blood proteins will be divided into:

• transferrin, responsible for the binding and transfer of iron;
• hemopexin, which transports heme;
• fibrinogen, which is the first blood clotting factor;
• globulin that transports male and female sex hormones (testosterone and estrogen);
• C-reactive protein in the blood (acute phase protein, the first to respond to an acute inflammatory reaction);
• Transcobalamin transporting cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12).

The fraction of total protein in the blood represented by gamma globulins includes immunoglobulins:

Total blood protein norm in men and women should be assessed at:

• swelling;
• systemic autoimmune pathologies accompanied by damage connective tissue(collagenoses);
• dehydration, diarrhea, uncontrollable vomiting;
• damage to the kidneys or liver (especially in diseases that impair the protein synthetic function of the liver - cirrhosis, hepatitis, etc.);
• immunodeficiencies;
• metabolic disorders;
• acute and chronic pancreatitis(during the period of exacerbation);
• glucocorticosteroid therapy;
• eating disorders (especially during diets or prolonged fasting);
• impaired absorption in the intestine (malabsorption syndrome);
• thermal burns.

Also, total blood protein should be examined in women during pregnancy, especially when severe edema appears.

Preparing for analysis

Protein in the blood should be assessed on an empty stomach, food intake is excluded twelve hours before the test. Drinking tea, coffee, juice and carbonated drinks on the eve of the study is not allowed. In the morning you can drink regular boiled water.

The day before the test, avoid eating fatty and fried foods.

Attention! It is not advisable to examine total protein after fluorography, radiography or physiotherapeutic procedures.

It is advisable to avoid alcohol intake 48 hours before blood sampling. In the morning, before blood sampling, it is advisable not to smoke.

Also, the day before blood sampling, physical activity is excluded.

For reference. The normal level of total protein in the blood does not differ between men and women. However, it must be taken into account that the level of protein in the blood of women carrying a child (especially in the third month of pregnancy), as well as breastfeeding, decreases slightly.

Total protein in the blood. The norm and what can affect the results of the study

Increased protein in the blood can be observed during treatment with androgens, clofibrate, corticotropin, corticosteroids, adrenaline, thyroid hormones, insulin, progesterone.

Blood protein may decrease with allopurinol or estrogen therapy.

False increased protein in the blood may be observed during active physical activity before the study.

When applying an excessively tight tourniquet or active work hand may also falsely increase protein in the blood.

Normal by age

The normal total protein in the blood for patients over 16 years of age is from 65 to 85 grams per liter.

The total protein norm for children is presented in the table:

Norm by faction

In some laboratories, the result of a fraction test can be recorded as a percentage: (tested fraction / total protein in the blood) * 100%

Increased protein in the blood - what does it mean?

• acute and chronic pathologies infectious-inflammatory nature;
• dehydration as a result of increased sweating, diarrhea, uncontrollable vomiting, extensive burns, fluid loss due to diabetes insipidus;
• peritonitis;
• jade;
• systemic autoimmune pathologies accompanied by damage to connective tissue;
• tropical diseases;
• leprosy;
• specific hypergammaglobulinemia;
• chronic polyarthritis;
• active phase chronic hepatitis or cirrotic liver damage;
• malignant neoplasms accompanied by increased synthesis of pathological protein. This picture can be observed in myeloma, macroglobulinemia, lymphogranulomatosis, and “heavy chain diseases.”

An increase in total protein in the blood (hyperproteinemia) should be divided into relative and absolute.

Important. A relative increase in protein is always associated with a violation of the ratio between plasma and shaped elements blood. That is, when the percentage of water in the plasma decreases, blood thickening occurs.

Very important! An absolute increase in total protein is much less common than a relative increase and is most often associated with malignant neoplasms.

With an absolute increase, the level of total protein can rise to 120 or more grams per liter.

Absolute increase in total protein

Significant hyperproteinemia can be observed with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. This disease is one of the types of malignant monoclonal gammopathy, manifested by hypersecretion of viscous and high molecular weight Waldenström protein (a type of immunogdobulin M).

Overproduction of proteins in this disease is associated with damage to lymphocytes and plasma cells of the bone marrow.

With this disease, blood viscosity increases significantly and the risk of thrombosis increases.

Symptoms of the disease include complaints of:

• constant weakness,
• dizziness,
• headaches,
• weight loss,
• enlarged lymph nodes,
• joint pain,
• hearing loss,
• appearance of a reddish tint to the skin,
• decreased vision.

The appearance of hemorrhages on the skin, nose and gum bleeding is also characteristic. In some cases, intestinal bleeding is possible.

Lymphogranulomatosis

• causeless weight loss,
• profuse night sweats,
• shortness of breath,
• obsessive dry cough,
• enlargement of all groups of lymph nodes,
• constant lethargy and weakness,
• low-grade fever,
• itching of the skin.

Also, with Hodgkin's disease, there is a significant decrease in immunity, frequent viral (usually herpetic), bacterial and fungal infections develop.

Heavy chain disease

This general name refers to the group rare diseases, accompanied by increased excretion in the urine of heavy immunoglobulin chains of a monoclonal nature. This is due to the fact that all immunoglobulins synthesized in the body are defective - they lack light chains.

Important. The disease belongs to malignant lymphoproliferative neoplasms.

It appears as follows:

• hepatolienal symptom (enlarged liver and spleen),
• severe diarrhea,
• vomiting,
• swelling,
• baldness,
• severe pain in the abdomen and joints,
• an increase in the size of lymph nodes,
• severe intoxication and exhaustion.

Low protein in the blood. Reasons

Total protein in the blood is reduced when:

• nutritional hypoproteinemia associated with reduced protein intake from food. This picture can occur when following a strict diet or fasting;
• pancreatitis;
• impaired intestinal absorption (enterocolitis, malabsorption syndrome);
• states after surgical interventions, as well as after injuries or burns;
• liver diseases accompanied by a violation of its protein synthetic function;
• increased, pathological loss of protein, as a result of bleeding, kidney disease with nephrotic syndrome(glomerulonephritis), ascites, diabetes mellitus;
• prolonged fever (hyperthermia);
• prolonged immobility (forced bed rest, immobilization after injuries);
• malignant neoplasms;
• heavy physical training, especially with reduced or insufficient protein intake;
• diseases of the thyroid gland;
• immunodeficiencies.

Attention. In women, total protein in the blood is reduced during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

How to increase blood protein

First of all, the reason for the change in the analyzes should be identified. Subject to availability concomitant diseases accompanied by pathological loss of protein, the underlying pathology is treated.

If protein levels are reduced due to increased exercise or poor nutrition, the normal level of protein in the blood can be restored by normalizing diet and lifestyle.

For reference. You can increase the level of total protein in the blood by increasing the consumption of meat, fish, squid, shrimp, eggs, cottage cheese, cheese, peanuts, dried apricots, mushrooms and soy.