Indicators (in relation to the norm) of protein in the blood are evaluated in the diagnosis of a large number of pathological conditions. The results make it possible to obtain detailed data on the patient's he alth status in general and the features of the work of individual organs and systems. If necessary, a total protein test or an extended test, including the determination of the concentration of protein fractions, may be prescribed.
Types of blood protein tests
Determining the rate of blood protein is an important indicator. There are dozens of types of research. The most commonly prescribed tests by doctors are albumin, homocysteine, hemoglobin, total protein (determined in blood or urine, as well as other indicators), C-reactive, alpha, beta and gamma globulins, ferritin, rheumatoid factor, myoglobin, ceruloplasmin and etc. One of the simplest studies is blood biochemistry, which allows you to determine the concentration of C-reactive protein and albumin. The results are necessary for the diagnosis of liver and kidney diseases, disordersmetabolic processes, infections, oncological diseases, determining the general state of he alth of the patient after burns. A complete blood count (CBC) allows you to evaluate the concentration of hemoglobin, deviations in the indicators of which indicate anemia, protein metabolism disorders or internal bleeding.
Biochemical analysis: total protein
A blood test for protein (the norms are listed below) allows you to determine the concentration of protein molecules in plasma. This indicator reflects the regenerative abilities of the body, the ability to promptly and appropriately respond to any violations, because proteins are a kind of building material that holds the elements of cells and tissues. With a lack of protein, any system or organ becomes defective in functional and structural terms. The protein is represented by a large number of different subspecies: fibrinogen, for example, characterizes coagulation mechanisms, and the globulin fraction characterizes immunity.
Indications for analysis
An analysis for total protein in the blood (the norm or pathology is determined by a laboratory method, the patient only needs to donate blood) is prescribed at any age for certain indications, including newborns and premature babies. Indications are suspicion of metabolic disorders, the presence of infection or foci of inflammation, diseases of the liver and kidneys, and oncological diseases. The doctor may prescribe an analysis after significant thermal burns or in case of malnutrition. Definition of commonblood protein may be ordered along with other basic tests as part of a comprehensive he alth screening.
Main components of total protein
Total protein in the blood (the norm for men and women is slightly, but different, depends not only on gender, age and condition of the body, but also on the specific indicator under study) consists of several components. During the study, the concentration of albumins, globulins and fibrinogen is determined. Albumins make up the bulk of the protein. These elements provide all the needs of the body to maintain the structure and synthesis of new cells. Globulins are necessary for the production of immune proteins, including antibodies and immunoglobulin, inflammatory mediators, C-reactive protein, and so on. Fibrinogen is responsible for the process of blood clotting.
Norm of total blood protein
Normal protein levels may differ between women and men. In general, the range of upper and lower standard values is quite wide. In relation to the total protein, the norm is 64-84 g / l. Depending on the type of protein fraction in the blood, the norms are as follows: albumins - 35-55 g / l, fibrinogen - 2-5 units of a substance per liter. Globulins are determined only by fractions, depending on the need, there are no general norm values. For children of the first month of life, the indicator is 48-73 g / l, during the first year - 42-72 g / l, up to five years - 61-75 g / d, in adolescence - 58-76 g / l.
The norm of protein in the blood is allowedin women, it is slightly reduced (by about 10%) compared with the indicators in the representatives of the stronger sex of the same age group. This is due to the high needs of the body of women in protein, because the substance is actively consumed for the production of sex hormones. In addition, the synthetic properties of the liver in women are slightly lower than in men.
An even greater downward variation in rates occurs during pregnancy. Within the normal range - a decrease of up to 30% compared with the general indicators. Such results are a natural consequence of the increased needs of the body of the expectant mother in the material for the synthesis of hormones of the endocrine glands, timely growth and full development of the fetus, an increase in plasma volume due to the retention of excess fluid in the vascular space.
Total blood protein: pathology
Pathological fluctuations in the rate of protein in the blood in men and women can be represented by both a decrease and an increase in the concentration of a substance. The first option is more common in medical practice, but is less specific. A significant upward deviation from the norm is rarely diagnosed, but is characteristic of a narrow circle of serious diseases.
Causes of high total protein
An increase in total protein in blood biochemistry indicates hyperproteinemia. This condition is typical for:
- dehydration of the body due to pathological redistribution of fluid between tissues and vascular space in sepsis, infections orintoxications;
- increased synthesis of antibodies during the formation of an immune response after the introduction of a vaccine or recent infectious diseases (usually a slight deviation from the norm);
- multiple myeloma (the level of total protein is significantly increased due to abnormal proteins, such as Bence-Jones protein);
- DIC-syndrome against the background of various conditions (usually critical) and intoxication - this condition is characterized by impaired blood clotting and the formation of multiple clots.
Causes of low total protein
Reducing the level of protein in the blood below normal is called hypoproteinemia. This may indicate the following conditions:
- protein deficiency due to malnutrition or exhaustion of the body;
- liver pathologies, such as cirrhosis, viral and toxic hepatitis;
- complications of diabetes;
- HIV infection or other autoimmune diseases;
- increased loss of protein in the urine with severe proteinuria or uncompensated kidney disease;
- diseases of the intestines and stomach with malabsorption of nutrients;
- secretory and enzymatic deficiency in chronic pancreatitis;
- endocrine pathologies, in particular hypothyroidism;
- severe chronic anemia and severe bleeding;
- progression of oncological diseases, metastasis.
Decrease below the norm of protein in the blood is always an alarming sign, indicatingabout pathological changes in the body. Therefore, with results that go beyond the lower limit of the norm, it is necessary to undergo additional diagnostics in order to find out the reasons for the deviation and begin appropriate treatment.
Acute phase C-reactive protein
C-reactive protein takes an active part in the body's immune response. In the inflammatory process, this indicator rises one of the first. In the first four hours, its concentration in the blood increases several times, and after forty-eight hours it can exceed the norm by a thousand times. The highest rates are observed with a bacterial infection, with a viral C-reactive protein in the blood (the norm is indicated below) rises to no more than 40 mg / l.
Indications for a blood test
C-reactive protein (C-RP) in the blood is determined when an inflammatory process is detected, differential diagnosis between viral and bacterial infections, before and after surgery, to determine the need for antibiotics and a few days after the start of treatment with similar drugs, with chronic pain in the joints, swollen lymph nodes, fever. C-reactive protein measurements are required for all acute conditions and diseases, as well as any chronic processes.
Norm of C-reactive protein in the blood
Normally, the content of C-reactive protein up to 5 mg / l is allowed, in some medical laboratories (resultdepends on the reagents used) - 10 mg/l. During pregnancy, the rate increases to 20 units per liter, and in newborns, rates can range from 0 to 15 mg / l. For infants, the norm is up to 10 mg / l. After serious physical exertion, the indicator can increase to 60 mg / l without negative he alth consequences, and the norm for smokers varies from 0 to 20 units per liter of biological material. The norm of C-reactive protein is not determined by international medical standards, because it strongly depends on the reagents and the method of analysis.
C-reactive protein: analysis features
Importantly, a normal C-reactive protein level may not preclude the presence of minor or low-grade inflammation with minimal immune system response. This is observed, for example, in ulcerative colitis. But research is still necessary to evaluate the process in dynamics. The degree of increase in indicators corresponds to the activity of the inflammatory process, but does not indicate its location. Thus, C-RP will be elevated in both appendicitis and gum disease.
Transcript of S-RB analysis
Protein in the blood from the norm may differ under various conditions. So, an increase in C-RP levels can cause infectious diseases, connective tissue diseases and other pathologies:
- an increase to 100 mg/l indicates the presence of bacterial inflammation (colitis, nephritis, pneumonia);
- C-RP above 200-300 mg/l - sepsis and generalized infections,which can affect several organs at once;
- increase to 50 mg/l - viral infection (according to the results of the analysis, pneumonia of a bacterial nature can be distinguished from viral pneumonia);
- C-RP in cord blood 10-20 mg/l - congenital bacterial infection, up to 50 units per liter - sepsis, meningitis;
- increase over 100 mg/l - meningitis of bacterial origin, 20-60 units per liter - tuberculous, below 20 mg/l or within the normal range - viral;
- in rheumatoid arthritis, acute rheumatic fever, psoriatic arthritis, and polymyalgia rheumatica (chronic muscle pain), elevated C-RP levels reflect disease severity;
- with myocardial infarction, tumors, acute leukemia, after surgical interventions (both with and without complications), inflammation of the digestive tube, the indicators may be within the normal range or increase slightly (up to 20 units per liter);
- in acute pancreatitis, C-RP in the blood exceeds 100 mg/l (the stronger the lesion, the higher the protein level), if the indicator does not normalize, you need to look for complications.
C-reactive protein in the blood rises and falls very quickly, therefore it is an important indicator for determining the patient's condition.
