Causes Of High Protein Levels In Blood

By Patricia | September 19, 2009

Before we get into the details of serum proteins, it is probably best if we begin with the other essentials. Blood as we know is a crimson-colored fluid that comes out when we bleed. Yet, blood is not a single material; it is a combination of a number of substances. It has substances dissolved in it, while at the same time, it also acts as a carrier of other substances that are not dissolved and is more like a colloid.

Blood is basically composed of a liquid portion called the plasma or the blood serum and a solid portion. Both the solid as well as the liquid part of blood contain a number of substances. The serum, for example, carries proteins, which are collectively called globulins.

Albumin is the largest component of blood serum, and there needs to be a reduction of more than 30% albumin for it to even show up in tests. Although our bodies are full of protein, the blood itself carries very little of it. A normal body does not carry too much blood globulins and therefore high albumin in blood or high protein serum levels are a cause of concern. This is because recent tests have shown that when globulin serum is high, it could result in a number of diseases. These globulins are produced in different portions of the body.

Depending on the kind of globulins that is high in the blood stream, medical practitioners will be able to identify the kind of disease that could possibly arise.

Causes:

High serum globulin causes can be anything starting from really serious cases such as cancer to nothing more than a little dehydration. Some of the most common reasons for high serum albumin causes are the following,

  • Dehydration: Dehydration causes the blood to thicken, causing the concentration of its elements. Test results will therefore show that there is a high blood globulin level while in truth this is not the case.
  • HIV/AIDS: HIV is a virus that attacks the immune cells of the body, causing it to become prone to other diseases. This results in a high serum level of globulins, because the body tries to compensate by producing more (immune cells are also known as immuno globulins).
  • Monoclonal gammopathy: Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is where the body produces an abnormal protein called monoclonal protein or M protein. Although this protein is abnormal, it usually does not cause any problems. In some cases, however, this condition can progress over years to cause illnesses, including cancer. It is however impossible to determine which condition will progress and which will not.
  • Multiple myeloma: Multiple myeloma is a condition where the myeloma cells (plasma cells present in the bone marrow that make antibodies) become cancerous and multiply. This raises the number of plasma cells manifesting as high albumin levels in blood.
  • Amyloidosis: Amyloidosis is a condition similar to MGUS where abnormal proteins called amyloid proteins are produced by cells in the bone marrow. These get deposited onto different organs such as the heart, kidneys, spleen, liver, the nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract. The cause for amyloidosis is not known, but it is a very rare condition.

Lately, however, research into serum protein has shown that there is more to high serum protein levels than was previously known. Studies have confirmed that high GV-Globulin levels may be a symptom in the early identification of acute pancreatitis. High glycated albumin levels have been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and have shown a significant correlation to the presence and severity of CAD. High serum protein S100 levels has been to be associated with the detection of distant metastasis, and mild serum albumin depression and acute-phase protein elevation has been found to be greater in diabetes patients.

Symptoms:

There are a number of symptoms that will point to high serum protein levels, but most of these are very generic and could be pointers to a number of illnesses, including very simple ones that are of no consequence whatsoever. Some of the symptoms that you have to watch out for are as follows:

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness upon standing or sitting
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Fever
  • Tingling or numbness

It is never a good idea to self-diagnose because until a blood serum test is performed and the test results come in, even doctors cannot be sure of high blood globulin levels.

Treatment:

There are a number of other diseases that have been found to be associated with blood protein levels and a high globulin blood test has been shown to be the precursor or a symptom of a number of hitherto unassociated diseases.
Treatment for high globulin is different for each case, and consultation with a doctor is essential. This is because the kind of treatment pursued depends to a large extent on the kind of disease. There are no home remedies per se for a condition like this. Alternate treatments may be available, but medical advice and treatment is recommended.

Tips to Lower Protein Levels in The Blood

  • Eating a healthy diet that comprises of vegetables, pulses and fibers.
  • Getting adequate rest and sleep
  • Reducing stress by practicing yoga, meditation and deep breathing exercises
  • Regular visits to the doctor
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