- Amyloidosis (buildup of abnormal proteins in your organs)
- Dehydration.
- Hepatitis B.
- Hepatitis C.
- HIV/AIDS.
- Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)
- Multiple myeloma.
Common Causes
One underlying cause of elevated levels of protein in the blood is a long-lasting infection or chronic inflammation. The chronic stimulation of the immune system caused by the inflammation or an infection causes the consistent production of antibody proteins.
Related Conditions
High blood protein is not a disease. It is a sign of another underlying medical problem. Many diseases or medical conditions may cause elevated protein blood levels (hyperproteinemia) or an imbalance of the ratio of albumin to globulins. These conditions include: Dehydration. Chronic (long-term) inflammation or inflammatory disorders.
What causes too much protein in the blood?
The condition of too much protein in blood is also known as hyperproteinemia. In most cases, it is a repercussion of some serious underlying medical ailment that has been affecting the person. Generally, blood does contain several types of protein, but in trace amounts.
Is too much protein in blood harmful?
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a condition in which an abnormal protein — known as monoclonal protein or M protein — is in your blood. This abnormal protein is formed within your bone marrow, the soft, blood-producing tissue that fills in the center of most of your bones.
What does too much protein in blood mean?
What does abnormal protein in blood mean?
What does abnormal protein in the blood mean?
If your total protein level is low, you may have a liver or kidney problem, or it may be that protein isn't being digested or absorbed properly. A high total protein level could indicate dehydration or a certain type of cancer, such as multiple myeloma, that causes protein to accumulate abnormally.
What are the symptoms of high protein in blood?
Symptoms of high protein levels can include:pain in your bones.numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or legs.loss of appetite.weight loss.excessive thirst.frequent infections.
Should I be worried about slightly high protein in blood?
High blood protein is not a specific disease or condition in itself, but it might indicate you have a disease. High blood protein rarely causes signs or symptoms on its own. But sometimes it is uncovered while you're having blood tests done as part of an evaluation for some other problem or symptom.
What causes protein in your blood?
These substances include hormones, enzymes and antibodies. Usually, the amount of total protein in your blood is relatively stable. High blood protein may be a symptom of underlying medical conditions, including dehydration, infections like hepatitis C or cancers like multiple myeloma.
What infections cause high protein in blood?
Possible causes of high blood protein include:Amyloidosis (buildup of abnormal proteins in your organs)Dehydration.Hepatitis B.Hepatitis C.HIV/AIDS.Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)Multiple myeloma.
How do you get rid of excess protein in your blood?
Possible treatment includes:Changes to your diet. If high levels of protein are caused by kidney disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, your doctor will give you specific diet changes.Weight loss. ... Blood pressure medication. ... Diabetes medication. ... Dialysis.
Will drinking water reduce protein in blood?
Drinking water is a good way to help get rid of high protein in your body. Your body is a fascinating, well-oiled machine that's extremely effective at balancing the amount of protein in your blood and urine when everything is working as it should.
What happens if your protein is high?
Excess protein consumed is usually stored as fat, while the surplus of amino acids is excreted. This can lead to weight gain over time, especially if you consume too many calories while trying to increase your protein intake.
What are the first signs of kidney disease?
Generally, earlier stages are known as 1 to 3. And as kidney disease progresses, you may notice the following symptoms. Nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, swelling via feet and ankles, dry, itchy skin, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, urinating either too much or too little.
What does total protein mean in a blood test?
The total protein test measures the total amount of two classes of proteins found in the fluid portion of your blood. These are albumin and globulin. Proteins are important parts of all cells and tissues. Albumin helps prevent fluid from leaking out of blood vessels.
What happens if your protein is too high?
Excess protein consumed is usually stored as fat, while the surplus of amino acids is excreted. This can lead to weight gain over time, especially if you consume too many calories while trying to increase your protein intake.
Is 8.6 total protein high?
Normal Results The normal range is 6.0 to 8.3 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or 60 to 83 g/L. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.
What is considered high protein in blood?
Marked hyperproteinemia (> 12g/dl in adults): Protein values are very high.
What does it mean when your blood is high in protein?
What is high blood protein? High blood protein (hyperproteinemia) means you have more protein in your blood than is normal. Blood contains two main kinds of proteins: albumin and globulins. Blood proteins help your body produce substances it needs to function. These substances include hormones, enzymes and antibodies.
Why is my protein level high?
Usually, the amount of total protein in your blood is relatively stable. High blood protein may be a symptom of underlying medical conditions , including dehydration, infections like hepatitis C or cancers like multiple myeloma. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
How to treat high protein in blood?
For example, if you have hyperproteinemia because of mild dehydration, your doctor may recommend that you drink more liquids and then recheck your blood.
How does a blood test measure protein?
A laboratory analyzes the blood sample to measure the amount of total protein in your body , among other items. The blood test results often include total protein levels, albumin level and the ratio of albumin to globulins.
What is protein test?
A blood test provides information on high blood protein. Protein levels are often included as part of a comprehensive metabolic panel, a blood test ordered by doctors as part of an overall examination. The health provider collects a blood sample through a small needle inserted into a vein in your arm. A laboratory analyzes the blood sample to measure the amount of total protein in your body, among other items.
Is high protein a disease?
High blood protein is not a disease. It is a sign of another underlying medical problem. Many diseases or medical conditions may cause elevated protein blood levels (hyperproteinemia) or an imbalance of the ratio of albumin to globulins. These conditions include: Dehydration.
What does low protein in your blood mean?
Find cause: This may be as simple as a protein-poor diet (some of the fad / "green" diets can do this), or reflect low Albumin from liver disease, kidney protein ... Read More
What does a high protein level in my blood count mean?
Unclear question: All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that.... Read More
What does high igg kappa monoclonal protein in blood mean?
See a specialist: You don't tell me how you were found to have that high level. If you have no symptoms to go with that finding and other laboratory blood tests are nor... Read More
What do protein and blood in my urine mean?
Blood ; protein: This means there is a small amount of some source of blood ; protein in the urine ; the meaning of this needs to be looked at with any other lab abnor... Read More
What does a high protein count mean in my blood work?
Depends: If all the proteins were elevated, you were probably dehydrated. If a specific protein is elevated then it needs to be determined which protein. Some ... Read More
What does it mean if you have a trace of blood and protein in your urine?
Kidney disease: Protein goes along with the blood . It is not uncommon for female to have slight blood but at your age there are reasons such as renal disease of infe... Read More
What does protein mean in blood?
Blood ; protein: This means there is a small amount of some source of blood ; protein in the urine ; the meaning of this needs to be looked at with any other lab abnor ... Read More
What causes elevated protein levels in blood?
Another cause of elevated blood protein levels is a type of cancer called multiple myeloma 3. Similar to MGUS, plasma cells produce massive quantities of antibodies that increase the total protein level in the blood 1. In contrast to MGUS, however, the plasma cells have become cancerous and divided uncontrollably.
Why is protein in the blood elevated?
The plasma cell that produces antibodies is part of the immune system, and thus, elevated protein levels in the blood may indicate an immune system disorder . Importantly, a high-protein diet does not cause elevated protein levels in the blood 2.
Why is my protein level high?
Learn More. One underlying cause of elevated levels of protein in the blood is a long-lasting infection or chronic inflammation. The chronic stimulation of the immune system caused by the inflammation or an infection causes the consistent production of antibody proteins.
What is a good protein level?
Protein levels between 6.0 and 8.3 g/dL are considered normal. Your doctor may suggest a total protein test, either as part of a routine check-up or to investigate the cause of certain signs and symptoms 1. Typically, a nurse or technician takes a blood sample, usually from a vein in the arm, and then sends it to a lab for testing.
What is the normal protein level for a blood test?
The serum is then removed and the amount of protein is tested in this fluid. Protein levels between 6.0 and 8.3 g/dL are considered normal.
Can plasma cells be cancerous?
In contrast to MGUS, however, the plasma cells have become cancerous and divided uncontrollably. The numerous plasma cells often stick together and form tumors that invade various bones, which can cause bone weakness, pain, and easy breaks. 00:00. 00:03 08:02. GO LIVE.
Is M protein a clone of a MGUS?
Therefore, the M proteins of MGUS are exact clones of each other. The cell producing this protein, called a plasma cell, produces massive quantities of M protein, ultimately leading to elevated levels of total protein in the blood 1.
Why is protein in the blood high?
High levels of protein in the blood can be a serious health concern due to the underlying conditions that may have created this abnormality. However, it should be noted that one thing that does not cause high-protein levels is a high-protein diet. Instead, chronic inflammation or infection is usually the cause of high protein levels in the blood.
What causes protein levels to rise?
Immune System. Raised levels of protein in the blood are a signal that other health issues are going on in the body. Infection and inflammation are two possible causes, the most serious of these being HIV and hepatitis. HIV can result in a disruption in the body's immune system to the point that it no longer works.
How does myeloma affect the immune system?
They work with the immune system by making antibodies to fight infections, and a cancer in these cells creates a weakness in the immune system. The abnormal amounts of protein that result from myeloma can also cause hyperviscosity syndrome, which is is a thickening of the blood to the point of affecting brain function.
Does HIV cause protein levels to increase?
HIV can result in a disruption in the body's immune system to the point that it no longer works. The inflammation normally needs to be reoccurring to increase protein levels to a point of concern. Other inflammatory conditions that might cause raised levels of protein include arthritis.
What causes low protein levels in the body?
Your body loses some protein each day, which is normally replaced by the protein in your diet. Medical conditions that lead to increased protein loss can lead to an abnormally low blood protein level. Nephrotic syndrome describes a type of kidney damage that leads to loss of large amounts of protein in the urine and an accompanying drop in blood protein -- commonly with swelling, or edema, of the hands, feet and face. This syndrome occurs with a variety of kidney diseases and medical conditions that damage the kidneys, such as diabetes and lupus.
What causes protein loss?
Increased protein loss can also occur through the intestines, a condition known as protein losing enteropathy (PLE). More than 60 diseases can lead to PLE, according to a July 2017 Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology review article. Some of the more common conditions that can cause PLE include Crohn disease, celiac disease and certain types of intestinal infections. It can also occur with certain types of cancer and AIDS, among other diseases.
Why is protein malnutrition bad?
A diet with an inadequate amount of protein, impaired digestion and/or absorption of dietary proteins, and increased demand for proteins due to an illness or serious injury can lead to protein malnutrition -- insufficient protein to meet the body's needs. In addition to a low blood protein level, people with protein malnutrition frequently ...
What is protein loss enteropathy?
This syndrome occurs with a variety of kidney diseases and medical conditions that damage the kidneys, such as diabetes and lupus. Increased protein loss can also occur through the intestines, a condition known as protein losing enteropathy (PLE).
What does a low protein level mean?
Blood chemistry panels usually include a total protein test, a measure of the concentration of protein in the liquid component of your blood. A low total protein level can occur for a variety of reasons that fall into the general categories of dilution, increased loss, decreased production and malnutrition. Slightly reduced blood protein often causes no symptoms but a markedly low level can lead to weakness, fatigue and leakage of fluid from your circulation into the soft tissues of your body, which you might notice as swelling in your feet, lower legs, hands and/or face.
Why is my protein level low?
A low total protein level can occur for a variety of reasons that fall into the general categories of dilution, increased loss, decreased production and malnutrition. Slightly reduced blood protein often causes no symptoms but a markedly low level can lead to weakness, fatigue and leakage of fluid from your circulation into the soft tissues ...
What are the causes of protein malnutrition?
Some of the many diseases and conditions that can lead to protein malnutrition include: Eating disorders. Low-protein diet. Celiac disease.
Why is abnormal blood work so confusing?
Abnormal blood work can be confusing to understand. In fact, it’s the most common reason for premature frustration and fear in patients around the globe. Misinterpretation of abnormal blood work is also a leading cause of misdiagnosis and improper medication being prescripted.
Why is blood testing important?
Yet, regular blood testing is one of the most important ways to keep track of your overall physical well-being.
What happens if you take a metabolic panel within hours?
If you have consumed any of these within hours of taking your metabolic panel, your bilirubin will appear low.
What is BMP in medical terms?
A basic metabolic panel (BMP) checks for levels of certain compounds in the blood, such as:
What does CBC look for in blood?
The CBC looks at major cells in your blood. Such as: red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin and hematocrit and platelets.
Can abnormal blood work affect your health?
Abnormal blood work can uncover issues that can impair your health both in the long term and the short term, however, it’s important you review such results with your personal healthcare team/doctor.
Do some blood tests require fasting?
The short answer is yes. Especially if you want to avoid false abnormal blood work results.
Overview
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a condition in which an abnormal protein — known as monoclonal protein or M protein — is in your blood.
Symptoms
People with monoclonal gammopathy generally don't experience signs or symptoms. Some people may experience a rash or nerve problems, such as numbness or tingling. MGUS is usually detected by chance when you have a blood test for another condition.
Causes
The precise cause of MGUS isn't known. Genetic changes and environmental triggers appear to play a role.
Complications
Each year about 1% of people with MGUS go on to develop certain types of blood cancers or other serious diseases such as:
What happens if your red blood cell count is low?
If the red blood cell count is lower than normal, then you may experience low oxygen supply which as a consequence you’ll encounter fatigue, weakness, and anemia. Hemoglobin: Hemoglobin or otherwise known as Hb is a type of protein present in the blood which carries oxygen ...
Why do you need a CBC test for anemia?
In serious cases, the numbers of white blood cells and platelets also might be depleted and look abnormal under a microscope. Thus, any anemic condition , or feeling tired all the time requires a CBC test to analyze what has gone wrong.
What is a Complete Blood Count (CBC)?
A complete blood count, which is often termed as CBC, is a complete screening of your cellular (formed elements) of blood that helps in gauging your health and detect certain health disorders. A CBC calculates if there are any increases or decreases in your blood cell counts, however, normal values vary depending on your age and your gender.
What does CBC mean in blood work?
A CBC calculates if there are any increases or decreases in your blood cell counts, however, normal values vary depending on your age and your gender. Following are some of the vital elements that a CBC test scans for; White Blood Cells: WBCs are the core of the immune system that fights against infection.
What is the primary job of platelets?
Platelets: Platelets’ primary job is to clot the blood from over-bleeding during an injury. The CBC test also measures the number of platelets in your blood which helps in assessing the cause of health conditions where you have excessive blood loss.
Why do we need CBC for cancer?
Cancer is a tumor-like tissue that forms due to the old cells that don’t die after a certain period of time and accumulates as a hard tissue, which is termed a cancer tumor. CBC tests are performed during cancer diagnosis such as to monitor the ongoing treatment of cancer, and to assess the efficacy and/or to change the course of treatment.
What are the conditions that require CBC?
Following are 3 health conditions that need CBC levels to assess the severity and diagnose appropriately. 1. Heart disease.