The term total protein means a broad concept that includes all the proteins that are contained in the blood, and there are truly a huge number of them. All of them are different in structure, function and chemical-physical properties. Basically, the division occurs into albumins and globulins, but fibrinogen is also present.
Norma
Normally, the amount of total protein depends on the person's age. In a newborn who is less than a month old, this indicator is from 46.0 to 68.0 g / liter; in a premature baby, this indicator can be reduced, the norm in this case ranges from 36 to 60 g / liter. Total protein in children - the norm of this indicator from one month to a year is 48.0-76.0, and from one year to 16 years - 60.0-80.0 g / liter. In an adult, a total protein indicator is in the range of 65.0 - 85.0 grams per liter, and after 60 years this indicator can be reduced by about 2 g / l.
This indicator helps to evaluate hemostasis indicators, thanks toit the blood acquires its basic properties, such as viscosity and fluidity. The ability of formed elements to remain in suspension depends on the concentration of protein in the blood. Also, due to proteins, various substances are transported and the body is protected.
In the clinic, it is not uncommon for diseases in which the total protein of blood serum changes. A blood test will help to establish whether the pathology is in this case or, on the contrary, the norm. The total protein will give the doctor a clearer picture. Its increased content is called hyperproteinemia, and its reduced content is called hypoproteinemia.
Increase total protein
The increase in total protein can be both absolute and relative. There are a number of diseases in which the total protein is relatively elevated. The norm for men and women of this indicator is the same, but with burns, peritonitis, intestinal obstruction, vomiting, or vice versa, diarrhea, diabetes, diabetes or non-diabetes, kidney disease or increased sweating, this indicator increases relatively.
If there is an absolute increase, then this indicates that a process is taking place in the body that can harm it, and this is not the norm for it. In this case, the total protein in the blood increases due to pathological fractions, which are called paraproteins, as well as due to inflammation proteins. At the same time, it is worth suspecting multiple myeloma, the protein in it rises to 120 - 160 g / l, Hodgkin's disease and polyarthritis, chronic or acute infectious process, active hepatitis, cirrhosisliver, sarcoidosis and autoimmune diseases.
Decrease in total protein
Hypoproteinemia can also be absolute or relative, which is also not the norm. Total protein decreases with water load, absence or decrease in urine, cardiac decompensation, large intravenous infusion of glucose solution, when renal excretion function is impaired, when antidiuretic hormone is elevated, which delays urine output.
The absolute decrease is due to a decrease in albumin, which can also be characterized as not the norm. Total protein decreases with insufficient intake of protein with food or its increased excretion - during starvation, enteritis, colitis. Its production decreases with hepatitis, cirrhosis, intoxication, congenital pathology - albuminemia, Wilson-Konovalov's disease. Increased breakdown can occur with cancer, burns, overactive thyroid, trauma, surgery, fever, or long-term treatment with corticosteroids. The indicator of total protein decreases with ascites or pleurisy, when it is lost along with the fluid, or with kidney disease. Physical activity, as well as the last months of pregnancy and lactation, contribute to hypoproteinemia in women.
