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Serum proteins are key elements in our blood that play a fundamental role in several body functions. They are present in serum, the liquid part of our blood, and play a very important role in our organism.
The most abundant is albumin, which is responsible for maintaining the balance of fluids in the body and for transporting different substances, such as hormones, vitamins and medicines.
The other protein measured is globulin, which contains different subtypes (alpha, beta and gamma). Some of these are produced by the liver, and others by the immune system. They have different functions, such as binding with hemoglobin, transporting metals in the blood – such as iron – or helping to fight infections.
Normal values for these proteins are as follows:
– Total protein: 6.4-8.3 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or 64-83 grams per liter (g/L).
– Albumin: 3.5-5.0 g/dL or 35-50 g/L
– Globulin alpha-1: 0.1-0.3 g/dL or 1-3 g/L
– Alpha-2 globulin: 0.6-1.0 g/dL or 6-10 g/L
– Beta globulin: 0.7-1.1 g/dL or 7-11 g/L
What if I have high or low values?
High albumin levels can be caused by severe dehydration. While those of globulin may be caused by:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, autoimmune hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis or sarcoidosis.
- Tuberculosis
- Some blood diseases, such as leukemia, macroglobulinemia, hemolytic anemia or Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
If, on the other hand, the blood test results in low albumin levels, the cause must be sought in some of these cases:
- Poor diet
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Autoimmune diseases
- Gastrointestinal pathologies such as Chrohn’s disease or sprue
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Heart failure
- Hyperthyroidism
In any case, any clinical laboratory test result should always be analyzed by a medical specialist, who may prescribe complementary tests to reach a more objective diagnosis or treatment for the pathology detected.