Any doctor knows that human plasma contains a huge amount of protein formations. During the analysis, all protein fractions contained in the blood are detected. Their number may indicate any pathologies. Basically, these are diseases that are easily treatable. However, there are cases of detection of serious diseases, such as malignant tumors or tuberculosis.
Modern method for studying protein fractions
Of course, in order to identify protein fractions of blood, there is more than one modern method. However, the most popular of all of them is the electrophoretic method. This study refers to the analysis by applying an electric current to it. It coagulates the blood and separates the red cells from the plasma. Do not take the results of this analysis as a complete diagnosis. An analysis for protein fractions is just an additional procedure that confirms a particular pathology.
Proteins, protein fractions: classification
All investigated protein fractions during the analysis can bedivided into three main groups:
- albumin;
- total protein;
- microalbumin in urine.
Albumin is the largest fraction of human plasma. Its content in the blood exceeds 50%. A high concentration of a substance may indicate liver disease, heart failure, pathology of the gastrointestinal tract. A lack of albumin in the blood may indicate dehydration.
Total protein is the main component of human blood. By its quantity, you can determine the presence of a huge number of diseases. A high rate of total protein in the body indicates the presence of infectious diseases, oncology, autoimmune pathologies. The causes of a lack of total protein can be diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver.
Microalbumin in the urine, or rather, an increase in its content may indicate the presence of kidney disease and hypertension. In addition, it helps to detect diabetes at an early stage. It is worth noting that even a slight deviation of this component in human plasma indicates possible pathologies in his body.
Normal indicators of the protein fraction
Due to the fact that protein fractions in the biochemical study of blood are detected very quickly, such an analysis can be called accurate. The normal content of protein formations in each person is individual. But not only the uniqueness of the individual affects the content of protein fractions in the body. In this study, it is also recommended to take into account the age of the patient.
So, in newbornsup to 1 year, the content of protein compounds varies from 47 to 72 g/l. For children from 1 to 4 years old, this rate ranges from 61 to 75 g / l. The protein content in the blood of babies aged 5 to 7 years starts at 57 and ends at 78 g / l. In large children and adults, this figure is considered normal from 58 to 76 g / l. So, the content of albumin in the blood should be as follows:
- Children under 14 - 38-54 g/l.
- Adults from 14 to 60 years old - 35-50 g/l.
- In the elderly, over 60 years old - 34-48 g/l.
How is the test going?
If the patient is taking tests to determine the level of albumin or total protein in the plasma, then he needs to come for blood sampling early in the morning. Breakfast is prohibited. The stomach should be empty for eight hours. The patient is allowed to drink only water. Also, the day before this study, it is forbidden to eat too fatty or fried foods. It is necessary to give up alcoholic beverages and not overload the body with physical labor.
Sampling for microalbumin in urine is much more difficult. A person during the day should collect all the excreted urine in a separate clean container. Taking liquid in the morning is not allowed. After the complete collection of the material, it must be brought to the study, indicating your exact height and weight.
What else can not be done before analysis?
There are a number of prohibitions before taking the analysis for protein fractions. The transcript of studies will be greatly distorted if a person does notfulfill at least one of all the requirements. So, before the direct donation of blood from a vein, the individual is not allowed to smoke. It is also worth postponing the procedure if the patient suffered severe stress the day before.
The result of a biochemical blood test will be slightly distorted by procedures such as x-rays, ultrasound, and fluorography. An adult a few weeks before the test should stop any medication that can affect the composition of the blood. It is not recommended for a newborn to take an analysis for the determination of protein fractions at the time of exacerbation of teething. Although such a study in babies is extremely rare.
If results are not normal…
If the patient received the results of a biochemical blood test, and the protein content is different from normal, then you should not worry too much. It is important to remember if there were any stresses the day before. If yes, then you need to ask the doctor for a referral for re-analysis.
In addition, a slight deviation from the norm can be observed in a certain group of people, for example, smokers, pregnant women, individuals who take medication for a long time, people who have a fever. A blood test for protein fractions should always be taken only as a reference, and not as a diagnostic method. However, one should not underestimate the indicators of globulins in human blood. Just their content can determine the presence of specific pathologies.
Who is assigned a protein analysisfactions?
Very often, he althy people are sent for such a blood test. This usually happens during routine medical examinations. But the bulk of the research is carried out on patients who have suspicions of any pathology. Very often, people with various chronic or acute diseases, autoimmune disorders and pathologies of the liver and kidneys get examined.
Also, a mandatory biochemical study is required for patients who suffer from various infectious and neoplastic (including malignant) diseases. Sometimes, with a protracted course of viral diseases, the doctor can also send the patient for an analysis indicating the content of protein fractions in the blood.
Diseases affecting test results
Due to some diseases, the protein fractions in the biochemical analysis increase or decrease. Most often, changes in these indicators cause tumor processes, infectious diseases and chronic pathologies. Unfortunately, sometimes plasma protein is elevated due to malignancy. However, it is not uncommon that a deviation from the norm of albumin or total protein occurs due to stress experienced by a person.
Also often an increase in the level of protein in a person's blood is due to pregnancy. Affects the number of fractions and diseases of the liver and kidneys, as well as the intake of certain medications. If the patient had a deviation from the norm of gamma globulin protein, then the doctor may suggesthe has hepatitis, leukemia, lymphoma, ulcerative colitis and other specific diseases. For some other symptoms, the doctor may also send the patient for an HIV test.
However, when testing for protein fractions, it is also worth remembering that during some diseases, especially at the initial stage, globulin in a person's blood can remain normal. This anomaly usually occurs in 10% of patients. Young parents should not be upset even if their infant under the age of six months has a low level of globulins in the blood. In young children, indeed, such a deviation is not considered a pathology.
Who will help to correctly decipher the analysis?
A competent patient who cares about his he alth will never make a diagnosis on his own. After all, protein fractions in a biochemical blood test, or rather their level, can indicate anything. Moreover, it should be understood that on the basis of one analysis, the doctor will not make a diagnosis. First, the symptoms in the complex are taken into account, and then the disease that the patient suffers from is already indicated.
Only an experienced doctor knows what pathologies cause deviations from the norm, and what proteins are responsible for a particular disease. If the patient begins to establish a diagnosis for himself, then this can cause him to panic. Faith in successful and high-quality treatment will also be lost.
