It is possible to develop physiological hypoproteinemia in the last months of pregnancy, during lactation, against the background of prolonged physical activity, as well as in bedridden patients.
What diseases cause a decrease in the amount of protein in the blood?
Hypoproteinemia is a sign of the following diseases:
- diseases gastrointestinal tract(pancreatitis, enterocolitis)
- surgical interventions
- tumors of various locations
- liver diseases (cirrhosis, hepatitis, liver tumors or liver metastases)
- poisoning
- acute and chronic bleeding
- burn disease
- glomerulonephritis
- thyrotoxicosis
- the use of infusion therapy (the entry of large volumes of fluid into the body)
- hereditary diseases (Wilson-Konovalov disease)
- fever
The development of hyperproteinemia is a rare phenomenon. This phenomenon develops with a number of pathological conditions, in which pathological proteins are formed. This laboratory sign is detected in infectious diseases, Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, myeloma, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, lymphogranulomatosis, cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis. Possible development of relative hyperproteinemia ( physiological) with heavy loss of water: vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal obstruction, burns, also with diabetes insipidus and nephritis.
Medicines that affect protein levels
Some medications affect the concentration of total protein in the blood. Thus, corticosteroids and bromsulfalein contribute to the development of hyperproteinemia, and estrogen hormones lead to hypoproteinemia. An increase in the concentration of total protein is also possible with prolonged clamping of the vein with a tourniquet, as well as transition from the “lying” to the “standing” position.
How to get tested for protein?
To determine the concentration of total protein, blood is taken from a vein in the morning, on an empty stomach. The break between the last meal and the time of taking the test should be at least 8 hours. Sweet drinks should also be limited. Today, protein concentration is determined by the biuret or microbiuret (if the concentration is very low) method. This method is universal, easy to use, quite cheap and fast. There are few errors when using this method, so it is considered reliable and informative. Errors mainly occur when the reaction is set up incorrectly or when dirty utensils are used.
Albumin, types of globulin, norms, reasons for increase or decrease in indicators
What are the protein fractions, normsBlood protein is represented by several types, which are called protein fractions. There are two main fractions of total protein - albumin and globulin. Globulins, in turn, are represented by four types - α1, α2, β and γ.
Violations of this ratio of protein fractions are called dysproteinemia Most often, various types of dysproteinemia accompany liver diseases and infectious diseases.
Albumin - normal, reason for increase, decrease, how to get tested
Let's consider each protein fraction separately. Albumins are a very homogeneous group, half of which are found in the vascular bed and half in the intercellular fluid. Due to the presence of a negative charge and a large surface area, albumins are able to carry various substances - hormones, drugs, fatty acids, bilirubin, metal ions, etc. The main physiological function of albumin is to maintain blood pressure and reserve amino acids. Albumins are synthesized in the liver and live 12-27 days.
Increased albumin - reasons
Increased concentration of albumin in the blood ( hyperalbuminemia) may be associated with the following pathologies:
- dehydration, or dehydration (loss of fluid from the body through vomiting, diarrhea, profuse sweating)
- extensive burns
Reduced albumin - reasons
Decrease in albumin concentration ( hypoalbuminemia) can be up to 30 g/l, which leads to a decrease in oncotic pressure and the appearance of edema. Hypoalbuminemia occurs when:
- various nephritis (glomerulonephritis)
- acute liver atrophy, toxic hepatitis, cirrhosis
- increased capillary permeability
- amyloidosis
- burns
- injuries
- bleeding
- congestive heart failure
- pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract
- fasting
- pregnancy and lactation
- tumors
- with malabsorption syndrome
- thyrotoxicosis
- taking oral contraceptives and estrogen hormones
To determine the concentration of albumin, blood is taken from a vein in the morning, on an empty stomach. To prepare for the test, you should avoid eating for 8-12 hours before donating blood and avoid strenuous physical activity, including prolonged standing. The above factors may distort the picture and the result of the analysis will be incorrect. To determine the concentration of albumin, a special reagent is used - bromocresol green. Determination of albumin concentration by this method is accurate, simple and time-consuming. Possible errors occur when blood is processed incorrectly for analysis, dirty glassware is used, or the reaction is performed incorrectly.
Globulins - types of globulins, norms, reasons for increase, decrease
α1-globulins –α1-antitrypsin, α1-acid glycoprotein, norms, reasons for increase, decrease
This protein fraction includes up to 5 proteins, and they normally account for 4% of the total protein. Greatest diagnostic value have two – and.
α1-antitrypsin (serine proteinase inhibitor) regulates the activity of blood plasma enzymes - trypsin, thrombin, renin, plasmin, kallikrein and elastase. The normal content in the blood of a healthy person is 2-5 g/l. This protein is an acute phase protein, that is, an increase in its concentration occurs during inflammation and oncological diseases. Complete or partial deficiency of α1-antitrypsin leads to obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema) and progressive cirrhosis at a young age.
α1-acid glycoprotein (orosomucoid) participates in the transfer of hormones - testosterone and progesterone. Normally, blood serum contains 0.55 -1.4 g/l. The concentration of orosomucoid increases 3-4 times during acute and chronic inflammation and after surgery. Determining the concentration of orosomucoid is used to monitor the dynamics of inflammation or to monitor oncology (an increase in the concentration of this protein indicates tumor recurrence).
How to get tested?
To determine the concentration of α1-globulins, blood is taken from a vein in the morning, on an empty stomach. The method for quantitative determination of the concentration of these proteins is accurate, but quite complex, so its determination must be carried out by an experienced and highly qualified employee. The method is quite lengthy, taking several hours. The blood should be fresh, without signs of hemolysis. Errors in determination occur due to insufficient qualifications of personnel or violations of the rules for preparing blood for analysis.
α2-globulins -α2-macroglobulin,haptoglobinnorms,ceruloplasmin,reasons for increase, decrease
Normally, the amount of α2-globulins is 7-7.5% of the total blood protein. In this protein fraction, α2-macroglobulin, haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin have the greatest diagnostic value.α2-macroglobulin–synthesized in the liver, monocytes and macrophages. Normally, its content in the blood of adults is 1.5-4.2 g/l, and in children it is 2.5 times higher. This protein belongs to the immune system and is cytostatic (stops cell division cancer cells).
A decrease in the concentration of α2-macroglobulin is observed in acute inflammation, rheumatism, polyarthritis and cancer.
An increase in the concentration of α2-macroglobulin is detected in liver cirrhosis, kidney disease, myxedema and diabetes mellitus.
Haptoglobin consists of two subunits and circulates in human blood in three molecular forms. It is an acute phase protein. The normal level in the blood of a healthy person is less than 2.7 g/l. The main function of haptoglobin is the transfer of hemoglobin into the cells of the reticuloendothelial system, where hemoglobin is destroyed and bilirubin is formed from it. An increase in its concentration occurs during acute inflammation, and a decrease occurs during hemolytic anemia. When transfused with incompatible blood, it may disappear altogether.
Ceruloplasmin– a protein that has the properties of an enzyme that oxidizes Fe2+ to Fe3+. Ceruloplasmin is a copper depot and transporter. The blood of a healthy person normally contains 0.15 - 0.60 g/l. The content of this protein increases during acute inflammation and pregnancy. The body's inability to synthesize this protein is detected when congenital disease– Wilson-Konovalov disease, as well as in healthy relatives of these patients.
How to get tested?
To determine the concentration of α2-macroglobulins, blood from a vein is used, which is taken strictly in the morning, on an empty stomach. Methods for determining these proteins are labor-intensive and quite time-consuming, and also require high qualifications.
β-globulins -transferrin,hemopexin,norm, reasons for increase, decrease
This fraction makes up 10% of the total serum protein. The determination of transferrin and hemopexin has the highest diagnostic value in this protein fraction. Transferrin(siderophyllin) is a reddish protein that transports iron to the depot organs (liver, spleen), and from there to the cells that synthesize hemoglobin. An increase in the amount of this protein is rare, mainly during processes associated with the destruction of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia, malaria, etc.). Instead of determining the concentration of transferrin, determining the degree of its saturation with iron is used. Normally, it is only 1/3 saturated with iron. A decrease in this value indicates iron deficiency and the risk of developing iron deficiency anemia, and an increase indicates intensive breakdown of hemoglobin (for example, with hemolytic anemia).
Hemopexin– is also a hemoglobin binding protein. Normally it is contained in the blood - 0.5-1.2 g/l. The content of hemopexin decreases with hemolysis, liver and kidney diseases, and increases with inflammation.
How to get tested?
To determine the concentration of β-globulins, blood from a vein is used, which is taken in the morning on an empty stomach. The blood should be fresh, without signs of hemolysis. Carrying out this test is a high-tech analysis and requires a highly qualified laboratory technician. The analysis is labor-intensive and quite time-consuming.
γ-globulins (immunoglobulins) – normal, reasons for increase and decrease
In the blood, γ-globulins make up 15–25% (8–16 g/l) of the total blood protein. The γ-globulin fraction includes immunoglobulins.
Immunoglobulins are antibodies produced by cells immune system to destroy pathogenic bacteria. An increase in the amount of immunoglobulins is observed during activation of the immune system, that is, during viral and bacterial infections, as well as during inflammation and tissue destruction. A decrease in the amount of immunoglobulins can be physiological (in children 3-6 years old), congenital (hereditary immunodeficiency diseases) and secondary (with allergies, chronic inflammation, malignant tumors, long-term treatment with corticosteroids).
How to get tested?
Determination of the concentration of γ-globulins is carried out in blood from a vein taken in the morning (before 10 am) on an empty stomach. When taking an analysis to determine γ-globulins, it is necessary to avoid physical exertion and strong emotional shocks. To determine the concentration of γ-globulins, use various techniques– immunological, biochemical. More accurate immunological methods. In terms of time costs, both biochemical and immunological methods are equivalent. However, immunological tests should be preferred due to their greater accuracy, sensitivity and specificity.
Glucose - the norm, reasons for its increase and decrease, how to prepare for donating blood for analysis?
Normal blood glucose and physiological hyperglycemiaGlucose is a colorless crystalline substance with a sweet taste and is formed in the human body during the breakdown of polysaccharides (starch, glycogen). Glucose is the main and universal source of energy for cells throughout the body. Glucose is also an antitoxic agent, as a result of which it is used for various poisonings, introduced into the body through the mouth or intravenously.
When the glucose concentration increases above 6 mmol/l, the presence of hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia can be physiological, that is, occurring in healthy people and pathological, that is, detected in various disorders in the human body.
Physiological hyperglycemia includes:
- nutritional (after meals, sweet drinks)
- neurogenic – under stress
Pathological hyperglycemia occurs in the following diseases:
- neuroendocrine disorders (eg, obesity, polycystic ovaries, premenstrual syndrome, Itsenko-Cushing's disease, etc.)
- diabetes mellitus
- diseases of the pituitary gland (for example, acromegaly, pituitary dwarfism, etc.)
- adrenal tumors (pheochromocytoma)
- increased thyroid function
- infectious hepatitis and liver cirrhosis
In addition to hyperglycemia, it is possible to develop hypoglycemia– reducing blood glucose levels below 3.3 mmol/l. Hypoglycemia can also be physiological or pathological. Physiological hypoglycemia occurs when:
- unbalanced diet, which contains a large amount of refined carbohydrates (white flour products, confectionery, potatoes, pasta) and few vegetables, fruits, vitamins
- in newborns
- dehydration
- lack of food or eating before bed
- overdose of insulin or other sugar-lowering drugs
- renal, liver and heart failure
- exhaustion
- hormonal imbalances (depletion of cortisol, adrenaline, glucagon)
- pancreatic tumor - insulinoma
- congenital anomalies - insulin hypersecretion, autoimmune hypoglycemia, etc.
To determine the glucose concentration, blood is taken from a finger or vein. The main condition for receiving correct analysis– is to take it in the morning and on an empty stomach. In this case, this means that after the evening meal and until the test is taken, you must abstain from any food and drink. That is, don’t even drink tea in the morning, especially sweet tea. Also, on the eve of the test, you should not eat fats - lard, fatty meat, etc. It is necessary to exclude excessive physical activity and strong emotions. Determination of glucose concentration both in blood from a finger and in blood from a vein is carried out using the same method. This enzymatic method is accurate, specific, simple to perform and short-lived.
Bilirubin - types, norms, reasons for decrease and increase, how to get tested?
Direct and indirect bilirubin – where is it formed and how is it excreted??Bilirubin is a yellow-red pigment that is formed during the breakdown of hemoglobin in the spleen, liver and bone marrow. The breakdown of 1 g of hemoglobin produces 34 mg of bilirubin. When hemoglobin is destroyed, one part of it - globin - breaks down into amino acids, the second part - heme - breaks down with the formation of iron and bile pigments. Iron is used again, and bile pigments (products of the conversion of bilirubin) are removed from the body. Bilirubin, formed as a result of the breakdown of hemoglobin ( indirect), enters the blood, where it binds to albumin and is transported to the liver. In liver cells, bilirubin combines with glucuronic acid. This bilirubin bound to glucuronic acid is called direct.
Indirect bilirubin is very toxic, as it can accumulate in cells, primarily in the brain, disrupting their function. Direct bilirubin is non-toxic. In the blood the ratio of direct and not direct bilirubin is 1 to 3. Further in the intestine, direct bilirubin, under the influence of bacteria, splits off glucuronic acid, and itself is oxidized to form urobilinogen And stercobilinogen. 95% of these substances are excreted in the feces, the remaining 5% are absorbed back into the blood, enter the bile and are partially excreted by the kidneys. An adult excretes 200-300 mg of bile pigments daily in feces and 1-2 mg in urine. Bile pigments are always found in gallstones.
In newborns, the level of direct bilirubin can be significantly higher - 17.1-205.2 µmol/l. An increase in the concentration of bilirubin in the blood is called bilirubinemia.
High bilirubin - causes, types of jaundice
Bilirubinemia is accompanied by the appearance of a yellow color of the skin, sclera of the eyes and mucous membranes. Therefore, diseases associated with bilirubinemia are called jaundice. Bilirubinemia can be of hepatic origin (with diseases of the liver and biliary tract) and non-hepatic (with hemolytic anemia). Separately, jaundice of newborns is worth mentioning. An increase in the concentration of total bilirubin within the range of 23-27 µmol/l indicates the presence of latent jaundice in a person, and when the concentration of total bilirubin is above 27 µmol/l, a characteristic yellow color appears. In newborns, jaundice develops when the concentration of total bilirubin in the blood is above 51-60 µmol/l. There are two types of hepatic jaundice - parenchymal and obstructive. Parenchymal jaundice includes:
- hepatitis (viral, toxic)
- cirrhosis
- toxic liver damage (poisoning with alcohol, poisons, salts of heavy metals)
- tumors or metastases to the liver
- pregnancy (not always)
- pancreatic tumor
- cholestasis (blockage of the bile duct with stones)
Non-hepatic jaundice includes jaundice developing against the background of various hemolytic anemias.
Diagnosis of various types of jaundice
To distinguish which jaundice we are talking about, use the ratio of different fractions of bilirubin. These data are presented in the table.
| Type of jaundice | Direct bilirubin | Indirect bilirubin | Direct/total bilirubin ratio |
| Hemolytic (non-hepatic) | Norm | Moderately elevated | 0,2 |
| Parenchymatous | Promoted | Promoted | 0,2-0,7 |
| Obstructive | Sharply increased | Norm | 0,5 |
Determination of bilirubin is a diagnostic test for jaundice. In addition to jaundice, an increase in bilirubin concentration is observed with severe pain. Bilirubinemia can also develop while taking antibiotics, indomethacin, diazepam and oral contraceptives.
Causes of jaundice in newborns
Jaundice of newborns due to other reasons. Let's consider reasons formation of jaundice in newborns:
- In the fetus and newborn, the mass of erythrocytes and, therefore, the concentration of hemoglobin is greater by the mass of the fetus than in an adult. Within a few weeks after birth, intensive breakdown of “extra” red blood cells occurs, which manifests itself as jaundice
- the ability of a newborn’s liver to remove bilirubin from the blood, formed as a result of the breakdown of “extra” red blood cells, low
- hereditary disease - Gilbert's disease
- since the newborn's intestines are sterile, therefore the rate of formation of stercobilinogen and urobilinogen is reduced
- premature babies
How to get tested?
To determine the concentration of bilirubin, blood is taken from a vein in the morning, on an empty stomach. Before the procedure you should not eat or drink for at least 4-5 hours. The determination is carried out using the unified Jendraszik method. This method is easy to use, takes little time and is accurate.
Urea - normal, reasons for increase, decrease, how to get tested
Urea norm and physiological increase in ureaUrea is a low-molecular substance that is formed as a result of the breakdown of proteins. The body excretes 12-36 grams of urea per day, and in the blood of a healthy person the normal concentration of urea is 2.8 - 8.3 mmol/l. Women are characterized by a higher concentration urea in the blood compared to men. On average, blood urea with normal protein metabolism is rarely higher than 6 mmol/l.
A decrease in urea concentration below 2 mmol/l indicates that the person is on a low-protein diet. An increased blood urea level above 8.3 mmol/l is called uremia . Uremia can be caused by certain physiological conditions. In this case, we are not talking about any serious illness.
So, physiological uremia develops when:
- unbalanced diet (high in protein or low in chloride)
- loss of fluid from the body - vomiting, diarrhea, profuse sweating, etc.
Causes of increased urea
So, uremia develops against the background of the following diseases:
- chronic and acute renal failure
- glomerulonephritis
- anuria (lack of urine, a person does not urinate)
- stones, tumors in the ureters, urethra
- diabetes mellitus
- burns
- gastrointestinal bleeding
- intestinal obstruction
- poisoning with chloroform, mercury salts, phenol
- heart failure
- parenchymal jaundice (hepatitis, cirrhosis)
Decrease in urea - reasons
Reduced urea concentration in the blood is a rare phenomenon. This is mainly observed with increased protein breakdown (intense physical work), with high protein needs (pregnancy, breastfeeding), with insufficient protein intake from food. A relative decrease in blood urea concentration is possible with an increase in the amount of fluid in the body (infusion). These phenomena are considered physiological. A pathological decrease in blood urea concentration is detected in some hereditary diseases (for example, celiac disease), as well as in severe lesions liver (necrosis, cirrhosis at a late stage, poisoning with salts of heavy metals, phosphorus, arsenic).
How to get tested
Determination of urea concentration is carried out in blood taken from a vein in the morning, on an empty stomach. Before taking the test, you must refrain from eating for 6-8 hours, and also avoid strong physical activity. Currently, urea is determined by the enzymatic method, which is specific, accurate, quite simple and does not require a long time investment. Also, some laboratories use the urease method. However, the enzymatic method is preferable.
Creatinine – the norm, the reason for the increase, how to get tested
Normal creatinineCreatinine is the end product of protein and amino acid metabolism and is formed in muscle tissue.
Blood creatinine may be higher in athletes than in ordinary people.
Reasons elevated creatinine
Increased creatine in the blood - creatininemia
– a diagnostic sign of the development of pathological processes in the kidneys and muscular system. Creatininemia is detected in acute and chronic nephritis (glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis), nephrosis and nephrosclerosis, as well as in thyrotoxicosis (disease thyroid gland) or muscle damage (trauma, compression, etc.). Taking certain medications also causes an increased blood creatinine level. These drugs include vitamin C, reserpine, ibuprofen, cefazolin, sulfonamides, tetracycline, mercury compounds.
In addition to determining the concentration of creatinine, the Rehberg test is used in the diagnosis of kidney diseases. This test evaluates the cleansing function of the kidneys based on the determination of creatinine in the blood and urine, as well as subsequent calculation glomerular filtration and reabsorption.
How to get tested
Determination of creatinine concentration is carried out in blood from a vein taken in the morning on an empty stomach. Before taking the test, you must abstain from food for 6-8 hours. The day before you should not overeat meat. Today, determination of creatinine concentration is carried out using the enzymatic method. The method is highly sensitive, specific, reliable and simple.
Uric acid – normal, reasons for increase, decrease, how to get tested
Uric acid levelUric acid is final product exchange of purines - components of DNA. Purines break down in the liver, therefore, the formation of uric acid also occurs in the liver, and it is excreted from the body by the kidneys.
Causes of elevated uric acid levels
Increased uric acid concentration ( hyperuricemia) in the blood of a healthy person occurs when physical activity, fasting or eating foods rich in purines - meat, red wine, chocolate, coffee, raspberries, beans. If there is toxicosis in pregnant women, the concentration of uric acid may also increase. A pathological increase in uric acid in the blood is diagnostic sign gout. Gout is a disease in which only part of the uric acid is excreted by the kidneys, and the rest is deposited as crystals in the kidneys, eyes, intestines, heart, joints and skin. As a rule, gout is inherited. The development of gout in the absence of a hereditary factor occurs with poor nutrition and a large number purine-containing products. Hyperuricemia can also develop with blood diseases (leukemia, lymphoma, B12-deficiency anemia), hepatitis and biliary tract pathologies, some infections (tuberculosis, pneumonia), diabetes, eczema, psoriasis, kidney disease and in alcoholics.
Low uric acid levels - causes
Low uric acid levels are rare. In healthy people, this phenomenon occurs on a diet poor in purines. A pathological decrease in uric acid levels accompanies hereditary diseases - Wilson-Konovalov disease, Fanconi anemia.
How to get tested?
A test to determine uric acid must be taken in the morning, on an empty stomach, using blood from a vein. Preparation does not require special measures - just do not abuse foods rich in purines. Uric acid is determined by the enzymatic method. The method is widespread, simple, convenient and reliable.
The content of total protein in the blood is determined by biochemical analysis. Such an examination is prescribed when various diseases or suspicion of them. Therefore, it is quite understandable that many are interested in: why is the total protein in the blood elevated, what does this mean? Protein is a necessary component of many processes. Changes in its content indicators are a reflection of various disorders and pathologies.
Briefly about the main thing
« Total protein" is a summary term that combines substances of protein nature that are contained in whey. They are needed for:
- participation in coagulation processes;
- maintaining oncotic plasma pressure;
- maintaining blood pH within normal limits;
- transport of substances throughout organs;
- immune processes;
- formation of “protein reserve”;
- regulation of various physiological processes that occur in the body.
Protein formation occurs in the immune system and liver. Any pathology associated with their functioning leads to disruption of protein metabolism.
Indicators are normal
- in a newborn, the protein content in the blood is 45-70 g/l;
- for a child up to 12 months - 50-75 g/l;
- in a child over three years old - 60-81 g/l;
- adult - 66-87 g/l;
- elderly people blood protein - 62-82 g/l.
Modern diagnostic methods make it possible to accurately determine abnormalities in blood tests. Children must be tested once a year.
Causes of increased blood proteins
An increase in plasma protein is associated with impaired functioning of the body and its systems. It comes in three types. When absolute, the increase does not provoke an increase in blood volume. The relative type is characterized by thickening of the blood. The third option, when plasma protein is elevated, includes physiological abnormalities.
The reasons leading to the development of all options are different. Among those that can increase the amount of proteins in the first case are:
- cancer diseases;
- acute severe infection;
- autoimmune diseases;
- the presence of chronic inflammation.
The reasons that provoke the development of the relative form include:
- acute intestinal infections;
- intestinal obstruction;
- poisoning;
- sudden heavy bleeding;
- long-term use of corticosteroids;
- exceeding the permissible amount of medications.
High protein with natural deviations from optimal indicators occurs when long-term use protein foods or bed rest. In addition, carrying a child, breastfeeding, and excessive physical activity are provoking factors. A false increased concentration of proteins is possible when the tourniquet is kept in the forearm for a long time during blood sampling; sudden change in bodily position.
Increased protein content can be detected when consuming: androgens, corticosteroids, insulin, progesterone, thyroid hormone preparations. Detection of excess levels of total protein in the body to confirm the diagnosis of the presence of a particular disease requires other examinations. In addition, the patient's medical history must be carefully collected. This is due to the fact that increased protein in the blood indicates the presence of pathology, but does not focus attention on the area of the disorder.
Reduced protein content
Reduced protein in the serum may indicate the presence of some disease, or some physiological shifts. In the first option, the causes are: hepatitis, constant bleeding, kidney pathologies, varied diets, fever, intoxication. The protein content can be reduced by: pregnancy, breast-feeding, physical activity.
Proper preparation for the examination
In order for the indicators of biochemical analysis to be identified as accurately as possible, it is necessary to follow some rules. These include:
- visiting the laboratory to donate blood in the morning, on an empty stomach;
- the last meal should be approximately eight hours before the test;
- the day before you need to give up large amounts of protein foods, doctors mean meat, eggs, nuts;
- avoid excessive physical activity, from which the indicator increases;
- Do not drink a lot of fluids the day before.
The presence of such requirements is due to the characteristics of the measured indicators. Due to certain factors, they may change. In order for this analysis to show correct results, they should not be neglected.
What to do
Due to the fact that total protein may increase with serious illnesses, changes in blood counts during the examination should alert you. Health monitoring is required.
To do this, you need to visit a doctor.
After carrying out the necessary additional examinations, the specialist will find out why the increased protein in the blood occurred. In order to reduce its content, it is necessary to eliminate the root cause, that is, the underlying disease. And this is impossible without the intervention of a doctor. Folk remedies it is impossible to reduce the amount of total protein. The doctor will take into account all the factors that increase the indicators, make a diagnosis and prescribe medications.
Protein is the component without which the harmonious functioning of the human body is impossible. Therefore, it is quite natural that when conducting research, one is interested in the question: why is total protein in the blood elevated and what does this mean? Sometimes there is a clear excess of protein in the blood, which is clearly reflected in the analysis data. In some situations, indicators are on the border of normal, when not only increased, but also decreased protein is noted. In any case, the condition that has arisen means the need for medical supervision.
Pathological proteins are often found in blood serum, which are indicators of various diseases. One of them is C-reactive protein, and if it is elevated in the blood, it means that there is an acute inflammatory process, and its reasons can be very diverse. To find out what an increase in its concentration in the blood signals, let’s figure out what kind of protein it is and why it begins to be synthesized.
What is C-reactive protein for?
Structure C-reactive protein- an indicator of an acute inflammatory process in the body.This peptide belongs to the “acute phase” proteins. This means that CRP is one of the first to begin to be synthesized in the liver in response to tissue damage and performs the following functions:
- activates ;
- promotes phagocytosis;
- increases the mobility of leukocytes;
- enhances the functional activity of T-lymphocytes;
- binds to C-polysaccharides of bacteria and phospholipids of damaged tissues.
In fact, it takes an active part in immune defense. Its concentration in the blood increases significantly during the first day after the onset of inflammation, and decreases as recovery progresses. It is produced in response to the appearance of bacterial polysaccharides in the body. It is because of its ability to precipitate the membranes of pneumococci with C-polysaccharide that it got its name. In addition, CRP is synthesized if necrotic processes occur in the body, because it reacts to phospholipids of damaged tissues.
Increased CRP is an early sign:
- infections;
- tissue necrosis.
Not only C-reactive protein is an indicator of an acute inflammatory process. Indicates the same pathologies and ESR. Both of these indicators suddenly increase as soon as the disease occurs, but they also have differences:
- CRP appears much earlier and then disappears faster than the ESR changes. That is, in the early stages of diagnosis, identifying C-reactive protein is much more effective.
- If the therapy is effective, this can be determined by CRP on days 6-10 (its level will decrease significantly). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate decreases after 2-4 weeks.
- CRP does not depend on gender, time of day, number of red blood cells, plasma composition, and these factors have a significant impact on ESR.
That is why the level of CRP in the blood is an important diagnostic criterion in determining the cause of the disease. Determining its concentration is the most sensitive method for assessing the activity of chronic and acute inflammatory processes. It is examined if various diseases are suspected, and based on how much the level of CRP in the blood has increased, the specialist will make a timely and accurate diagnosis.
Causes of increased C-reactive protein
Methods for determining CRP in different diagnostic centers are different, therefore, for maximum information content of the analysis, it should be taken in the same laboratory. Laboratories use various determination methods. Determine the concentration of CRP using:
- radial immunodiffusion;
- nephelometry;
If taken at different diagnostic centers, the final numbers may differ slightly. That is why it is better to take a repeat test in the same laboratory as the first one.
DRR standards:
If there is an inflammatory process, in the first hours of the disease the concentration of this protein begins to increase. Its quantity exceeds the norm by 100 times or more and is constantly growing. After a day, its maximum concentration is reached.
Its amount in the blood increases due to severe operations. After transplantation, an increase in protein concentration indicates graft rejection.
By examining the amount of CRP in the blood, the doctor determines the effectiveness of therapy. If its level is significantly elevated, then the prognosis for the course of the disease is unfavorable. And he points to the following diseases:
Only a doctor will determine the advisability of testing the level of C-reactive protein. After all, the diagnosis of diseases increased level SRB has many features. For example:
- An increase in C-reactive protein is accompanied by rheumatoid arthritis. Determining the level of CRP is recommended not only for diagnosing this disease, but also for monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. However, this indicator alone can be used to distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from rheumatoid polyarthritis impossible.
- The amount of CRP depends on activity.
- In (SLE), if there is no serositis, its level will be within normal limits.
- In patients with SLE, an increase in the concentration of C-reactive protein indicates the development of arterial hypertension.
- Myocardial infarction is accompanied by an increase in CRP after 18-36 hours. Its level begins to decrease from 18-20 days and after a month and a half returns to normal. During a relapse, there is a surge in C-reactive protein.
- Its level often increases in patients with. And if it is stable, this indicator is within the normal range.
- The synthesis of CRP increases due to malignant tumors. And since this “acute phase” protein is nonspecific, for accurate diagnosis it is studied in combination with others.
- At bacterial infection the concentration of C-reactive protein is significantly higher than in diseases caused by viruses.
CRP is intensively synthesized in the following chronic diseases:
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- spondyloarthropathy;
- idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.
In these diseases, the protein concentration depends on the activity of the process, so studying its quantity is necessary to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. A persistent increase indicates a poor prognosis. And in myocardial infarction, C-reactive protein activity is associated with a high probability of death.
Row scientific research showed that even a slight increase in CRP to 10 mg/l indicates the risk of:
- myocardial infarction;
- thromboembolism.
But for diagnostics chronic diseases C-reactive protein levels are unreliable. In addition, its excessive amount is recorded in various autoimmune, infectious, allergic diseases, necrotic processes, after injuries, burns, surgical operations. Therefore, the doctor will make an accurate diagnosis based on the increase in CRP in the blood after conducting additional examinations.
Conclusion
Since C-reactive protein is synthesized in response to necrotic changes in tissues, the occurrence infectious disease, then its definition is necessary for accurate early diagnosis. They also study it to monitor how successful the therapy is. It is better not to independently diagnose an increase in the level of C-reactive protein in the blood, but to entrust this to specialists - a rheumatologist, cardiologist, oncologist, surgeon. Indeed, to determine the cause of the disease, accompanied by an increase in the concentration of CRP, it is necessary to conduct an additional examination of the patient.
Albumins and globulins, as well as other types of protein molecules that included in the concept of “total blood protein”, take an active part in all vital important processes occurring in the body. This indicator may indicate the presence of health problems if the results obtained deviate from the norm. Calculated indicator points to possible reason development of the disease, but if you identify which protein is more in the blood, you can find out all the details of the disease. Therefore, in a biochemical blood test, a study of the level of total protein is often prescribed. Under what conditions is protein in the blood elevated, and what consequences this has for health, we will consider further.
Hyperproteinonemia can be of two types:
- Relative – an increase in the concentration of proteins in the blood relative to the total blood mass. Develops most often.
- Absolute – an increase in the synthesis of all protein fractions, which occurs due to a failure of hemostasis.
- Newborns – 40-65 g/l.
- Children of the first year of life – 45-72 g/l.
- Children preschool age– 50-78 g/l.
- Children and adolescents 8-15 years old – 58-78 g/l.
- Adult patients 16-55 years old – 65-80 g/l.
- Elderly people – 60-81.
The extent to which the obtained values deviate from the norm may indicate the degree of progression of the disease. However. This analysis cannot accurately indicate which organ or system is experiencing increased stress. Additional research is indispensable, and all statistical data that helps to predict a particular disease can be used in the initial diagnosis.
In men and women, the concentration of total protein in the blood is the same, so gender is not important in the calculation. Differences in rates may be due to age. During pregnancy, a slight excess of protein in the blood is allowed, which occurs in the presence of hormonal changes in the body and does not carry any pathological implications.
What analysis is it determined by?
In order to assess the level of total protein in the blood, it is necessary donate blood from a vein to biochemical analysis . The collection is carried out mainly in the morning on an empty stomach. The patient is advised to get a good night's sleep the night before and also avoid sweet, fatty and smoked foods.
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Anna Poniaeva. Graduated from Nizhny Novgorod medical academy(2007-2014) and Residency in Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics (2014-2016).
For a few days they also fall under the taboo alcoholic drinks and fast food.
Today, there are two methods for calculating protein in the blood:
- Biuret– the principle of the technique is the natural reaction of protein with copper sulfate, located in an alkaline environment. As a result, tight compounds are formed, which are colored saturated purple. The more saturated the resulting color of the compounds, the more protein in the blood. The final result is shown by a photometer that evaluates color saturation.
- Microbiuret- a more accurate method that has similar principles. The only difference is the use of ultra-precise photometers that can detect even slight staining of compounds.
– obtaining comprehensive information about the functioning of each internal organ individually and the body as a whole unified system. One of the leading indicators of this analysis is the determination of the concentration of total protein in the blood and its fractions. This article is devoted to the meaning of this indicator and the interpretation of possible deviations from the norm.
What is this indicator
Protein is the building material for all organs and tissues of the human body. It, like a kind of frame, creates the basis on which cells and molecular structures of other types of metabolism are attached. We can say that this is the main building material, without which restoration of the structure of cells and tissues, and therefore their further life, is impossible. The norm of protein metabolism assumes a constant circulation of protein, consisting of:
- The breakdown of complex protein structures into simpler protein molecules and amino acids;
- Its synthesis from amino acids that are formed in the body or enter the bloodstream with food;
- Conversion of one type of protein into another.
Important to remember! There is not a single cell or fluid in the human body that does not contain a minimum amount of protein. In the process of life, the lost structure of damaged protein molecules is constantly being restored!
Naturally, protein can only be transferred between tissues through blood. This is the basis for determining total protein in blood serum as the main indicator of protein metabolism. The meaning of the term total protein suggests that such an indicator of biochemical analysis indicates the concentration of all types of protein that can circulate in the body. And there are more than a hundred of them. They can be represented not only by physiological protein molecules that are formed daily in cells. Various types of pathology of certain organs lead to the formation of pathological proteins, which will also affect the level of total blood plasma protein and biochemical analysis in general. A unique laboratory that largely carries out all types of protein transformations is the liver. It is this organ that is mainly responsible for general protein metabolism.
The main types of plasma proteins that determine the level of total protein in a blood test are:
- Albumin is the largest fraction of protein molecules with low molecular weight, which are responsible for maintaining cell structure and optimal blood condition;
- Globulins are the second largest protein fraction, represented by large molecular compounds. They talk about the activity of the immune system;
- Fibrinogen is a specific protein responsible for the key components of blood clotting;
- Other proteins - they are represented by various physiological or pathological modifications of the basic types of proteins. Normally their number is very low.
Normal indicators
The range of maximum and minimum values of total blood protein is quite wide. This is due to a wide range of physiological reasons that affect the activity of protein metabolism in the body. In addition, there are reasons why the rate of this indicator may change in one direction or another. It mainly depends on different physiological conditions and processes in the body (pregnancy), gender and age of the person being studied. Generally accepted standards are given in table form. The units of measurement for protein metabolism are presented in grams per liter of plasma (g/l).
| Indicator | Total protein | Albumin | Fibrinogen | Globulins |
| Adults | 64-84 | 35-55 | The norm is 2-4 g/l for all age groups. | The total quantity is not determined. Only analysis of their different types is carried out if indicated. |
| Teenagers | 59-77 | 30-50 | ||
| Children under 6 years old | 60-76 | 29-52 | ||
| Children under one year old | 47-73 | 22-49 | ||
| Children under one month | 48-75 | 24-50 |
In women general level protein may be slightly reduced compared to men (up to 10%). During pregnancy, such a decrease is even more likely and can reach about 30% of the norm. The main condition indicating that these changes are physiological and due to normal changes hormonal levels– absence of any complaints and pathological symptoms. If they accompany any decrease in protein, this can no longer be the norm.
Important to remember! Deviation of the obtained total protein indicator from the upper or lower limit the norm by a few units is not a pathology. A pronounced decrease in blood protein is much more common than an increase. If the cause of the first type of deviation can be many different factors, then the second type of change in the indicator is characteristic of a narrow range of diseases!
Liver pathology is one of the main reasons for protein decline
What does a decrease in protein mean?
Doctors call low total plasma protein the term hypoprothienemia. Its main reasons are:
- Hepatocellular failure arising against the background of acute and chronic liver diseases (hepatitis of toxic and viral origin, cirrhosis, pathology of the bile ducts, primary and metastatic liver tumors;
- Bad or poor nutrition in the absence of pathology internal organs(various diets and fasting);
- Exhaustion of the body caused by severe or long-term illnesses and infectious and purulent processes;
- Exhaustion due to malignant tumors;
- Accelerated excretion of protein in the urine in severe kidney pathology and renal failure;
- Diabetes mellitus and its complications;
- Severe anemia, bleeding and malignant blood diseases (leukemia);
- Chronic pathology of the stomach and intestines, accompanied by impaired digestion and absorption of protein components from food products;
- Pathology of the pancreas with its enzymatic insufficiency;
- HIV infection and various immunodeficiencies;
- Diseases of the endocrine system: decreased function of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) and hyperfunction of the adrenal glands (hypercortisolism);
- Pathology of pregnancy in the form of gestosis.
What to think about if protein is elevated
If blood biochemistry is characterized by an increase in protein levels, they speak of hyperproteinemia. Its causes could be:
- Pathological loss of fluid from the body due to any type of dehydration;
- Severe intoxication against the background of an acute period of infectious and purulent-septic diseases. In this case, a redistribution of fluid occurs between the blood and tissues, against the background of which the total protein increases;
- The period of active formation of immunity. This is possible after suffering from infectious diseases or vaccination (inoculations);
- Myeloma(production of pathological Bence Jones protein in the body). Accompanied by severe hyperproteinemia;
- DIC syndrome (severe disorders of the blood coagulation system, causing pathological content of coagulation factors).
Video about multiple myeloma - the cause of increased total protein:
Important to remember! A decrease in the level of total protein may be associated either with a violation of its supply or synthesis, or with excessive expenditure on the restoration of damaged tissues, or with excessive excretion by the kidneys. An absolute increase in its level occurs only in myeloma, since the blood is overfilled with pathological protein. A relative increase is an increase in the amount of protein in which its norm is exceeded due to the reduced amount of fluid in the blood plasma!