The indicator of the total level of protein in the blood plasma is one of the first tests that you will be given at hospitalization. This figure will help doctors quickly determine your body's readiness for various types of therapy and the possibility of painlessly transferring surgical intervention. Also, protein can be a signal of certain failures - fever, loss of blood, infection, tumor processes. The norm of the total protein in the blood is somewhat different for patients of different ages, but in general the indicators of a healthy organism in different people are close enough to each other.
What is the level of total protein in the blood and its norm?
A general blood test for protein is normally performed without any preliminary preparation. The only condition is that the patient should preferably not eat 8 hours before the procedure. The main indicators that are taken into account in this biochemical study are the ratio of albumins and globulins in a certain amount of blood plasma. This figure is measured in grams per liter. Of course, there are more varieties of proteins in the blood than the two mentioned, but they are recognized as the most significant.
Biochemical blood analysis for total protein determines the norm for adults within the following figures:
- men from 14 to 22 years - 56-85;
- women from 14 to 22 years - 58-79;
- men from 22 to 34 years - 82-85;
- women from 22 to 34 years - 75-79;
- men from 34 to 59 years - 76-80;
- women from 34 to 59 years - 79-83;
- men from 59 to 74 years - 76-78;
- women from 59 to 74 years - 74-77;
- men and women over 74 years old - 69-78.
The total protein of blood plasma is normally equal to the figures approximated to those indicated, but it is important to remember: the level of protein can be affected by both physiological and pathological processes. For example, at high physical loads, its level is significantly reduced, and with an overabundance of protein in the diet - is increasing. As a rule, the protein decreases during pregnancy and lactation, with eating disorders and injecting fluids with intravenous infusions.
From what diseases the norm of the total protein of serum can fluctuate?
The normal level of total protein in the blood does not mean that the person is completely healthy. Similarly, the same disease can cause both an increase and a decrease in this indicator. For example, tumor processes generally provoke protein increase, but oncological diseases tend to lower it below normal.
It is impossible to diagnose only on the basis of an analysis of the biochemistry of blood on a common protein and comparing it with the norm. Nevertheless, this procedure is very important, since it serves as the main indicator that there are certain violations in the human body, it is sick.
Here are the diseases that change the normal level of total protein in the blood to increased:
- allergy;
- oncology;
- poisoning and infections associated with dehydration;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- liver disease;
- cholera;
- sepsis;
- intestinal obstruction ;
- nephritis;
- scleroderma;
- burns and massive blood loss.
The total protein of blood below the norm causes such diseases:
- diabetes;
- thyrotoxicosis ;
- anemia;
- pancreatitis;
- ascites;
- pleurisy;
- infectious diseases;
- injuries;
- fever;
- tumor processes. Especially in the liver.
As you can see, some diseases appear in both lists. That's why the doctor should consider all the symptoms and prescribe additional blood and urine tests. This will help to make a more accurate diagnosis. It is also important to remember that the fluctuations in total protein are affected by surgical operations, medication and lifestyle. For example, in bedridden patients, the protein is usually elevated.