The term total protein means an extensive concept that includes all the proteins that are in the blood, and there are truly a huge number of them. All of them are different in structure, functions and chemical-physical properties. Basically, the division occurs into albumin and globulin, but fibrinogen is also present.
Norm
Normally, the amount of total protein depends on the age of the person. 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 is from 48.0β76.0 from one month to a year, and from 60 to 80.0 g / liter from a year to 16 years. In an adult, a person gives an indicator of total protein 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, thanks to it the blood acquires its basic properties, such as viscosity and fluidity. The ability of the shaped elements to be kept 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 indicator of total serum protein changes. A blood test will help establish whether pathology in this case or vice versa is the norm. Total protein will give your doctor a clearer picture. Its increased content is called hyperproteinemia, and its lower - hypoproteinemia.
Increase in total protein
An 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 for this indicator is the same, but with burns, peritonitis, intestinal obstruction, vomiting, or vice versa, diarrhea, diabetes, sugar or non-sugar, kidney disease or increased sweating, this indicator increases relatively.
If an absolute increase occurs, then this indicates that a process is taking place in the body that can harm it, and this is not the norm for it. The total protein in the blood increases due to pathological fractions, which are called paraproteins, as well as due to inflammation proteins. In this case, it is worth suspecting myeloma, the protein rises to 120 - 160 g / l, Hodgkin's disease and polyarthritis, a chronic or acute infectious process, active hepatitis, cirrhosis, sarcoidosis and autoimmune diseases.
Total protein lowering
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 the function of excretion of the kidneys is impaired, when there is an increased antidiuretic hormone that delays the excretion of urine.
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 - with starvation, enteritis, colitis. Its production decreases with hepatitis, cirrhosis, intoxication, congenital pathology - albuminemia, Wilson β Konovalovβs disease. Increased decay can be observed with oncology, burns, increased thyroid function, with injuries, after surgical treatment, with fever or prolonged treatment with corticosteroids. The indicator of total protein decreases with ascites or pleurisy, when it is lost with fluid, or with kidney diseases. Physical activity, as well as the last months of pregnancy and lactation contribute to hypoproteinemia in women.