The human body is a complex system in which various chemical processes occur every second: hormones, blood protein fractions, pigments, etc. are produced. With the development of medicine, many studies have become available to people to determine the level of such substances. Deviations from the norm may indicate the development of the disease or be a consequence of physiological factors.
general information
There are many conditions when individual fractions of blood protein increase. What is it, what similar indicators can testify, few know.
These substances are an integral part of blood plasma and are composed of complex amino acids.
Perform very important functions:
- They transport the necessary substances (these can be the components of the medications taken, lipids, vitamins, minerals, pigments, etc.).
- Responsible for coagulation.
- Maintain acid-base balance.
- Regulate the balance of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.
- Affect the state of immunity.
The consistency of blood depends on their level. Thick and viscous fluid passes worse through the bloodstream, thereby worsening the work of the entire cardiovascular system.
To determine the protein fraction, a special analysis is carried out - a proteinogram.
Blood chemistry
Such a laboratory study is one of the most informative and popular. It is prescribed for almost all patients undergoing inpatient treatment.
It allows you to assess the general condition of the body and the work of individual organs on various indicators.
Protein fractions in the biochemical analysis of blood are a very important part, which is carried out by all persons at risk for certain groups of diseases.
Who is shown
Most often, a study of the protein fraction is prescribed for suspected of the following pathologies:
- myeloma;
- monoclonal gammopathies.
Conducting a proteinogram is indicated for patients with:
- autoimmune processes (scleroderma, lupus erythematosus, Hashimoto thyroiditis);
- chronic and acute infectious diseases (herpes, hepatitis of all types, Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus);
- symptoms of malabsorption (chronic digestive disorders, manifested by diarrhea, steatorrhea, which lead to impaired absorption of beneficial substances);
- eating disorders (lack or increase in appetite, selective craving for certain foods).
Additionally, it can be prescribed during a general examination of the body (screening of various diseases).
The decision on the need for the study should be made by the attending physician (therapist) on the basis of complaints, the patient’s medical history, test results, etc.
Analysis Features
All patients who have been prescribed a study of the protein fraction in the blood need to know:
- The procedure is performed on an empty stomach, early in the morning. Before the start of delivery, you can not eat food for 8 hours.
- On the eve it is recommended to adhere to a strict diet (exclude alcohol, fatty, smoked, fried, spicy, fast food, mayonnaise, ketchup and other harmful products). It is advisable to limit protein intake.
- In 30-60 minutes no smoking.
- Avoid instrumental research methods: fluorography, X-ray, ultrasound, etc. a few days before analysis.
- The day before you can’t be nervous and engage in heavy physical exertion.
- Young children do not have a teething procedure.
Violation of any item from the above list may distort the result, mislead the patient and doctor. Therefore, it is extremely important to adhere to the list of recommendations.
What else may cause deviations in the results:
- intravenous infusion of infusion solutions;
- excessive sweating;
- pregnancy;
- lactation;
- heavy loads;
- bed rest;
- protein abuse.
Detection methods
Protein fractions are an integral part of the total protein. The latter is determined by conducting the above biochemical blood test. For a more detailed assessment of the equilibrium of its particles, other studies are needed.
The most informative and popular is the electrophoresis technique, which can be carried out using special material:
- chromatographic paper;
- cellulose acetate film;
- agar or starch gel.
It occurs by the action of an electric current on blood proteins, which are placed on a special paper or gel. In the process, substances acquire a negative charge, where under the influence of the laws of physics they move to the anode and can be separated into 6 different fractions, namely:
- Albumin
- globulins (alpha-1 and alpha-2);
- globulins (beta and gamma);
- prealbumin.
In addition to determining the fraction of blood proteins by electrophoresis, laboratory assistants can use other, less popular methods:
- gel filtration;
- immunological;
- precipitation;
- sedimentation.
Norms and deviations
The analysis is carried out quickly enough, and the result can be obtained the next day.
Protein fractions are influenced by many factors. On average, their normal amount in the blood should be (g / dl):
- albumin - 3.5–5.00;
- a-1 - 0.1-0.3;
- a-2 - 0.6–1.00;
- beta - 0.7-1.2;
- gamma - 0.7–1.6.
The total protein ratio should be in the range of 6.4–8.3 g / dl.
As evidenced by the increase
Blood protein fractions should normally be in a certain ratio that characterizes the general condition of the human body.
Violation of this balance is allocated in a separate disease called dysproteinemia.
Depending on the shift of a certain fraction, we can talk about some pathologies that are latent or clearly occurring in the body. If level is increased:
- albumin - this may indicate liver and kidney disease; for example, with hepatitis, cirrhosis, carcinomas, pyelonephritis and others;
- alpha-1 globulin (2) - may indicate the presence of inflammation, severe stress, or an advanced stage of cancer with metastases;
- beta - hyperlipoproteinemia (impaired lipid metabolism) may be present in the body;
- gamma - an increase in the indicator is characteristic for the penetration of infection (bacterial or viral).
If an abnormal monoclonal protein is detected on a test strip during a proteinogram, in most cases this is the basis for suspecting myeloma - cancer of plasma cells. Therefore, when conducting an examination for this pathology, a proteinogram is considered one of the most valuable and informative methods.
Lower values
Many patients can detect in their results a decrease in total protein and its individual fractions. This can be both a variant of the norm, and a pathological deviation.
This condition is called hypoproteinemia. It can be triggered by:
- insufficient intake of protein with food;
- long diets;
- anemia
- menstruation;
- postoperative period;
- fevers;
- infectious processes;
- intoxication;
- kidney disease
- hepatitis;
- lack of sleep;
- general breakdown;
- bleeding.
The physiological reasons (i.e., not associated with the disease) of a significant decrease in protein in the blood (below the level of 50 g / l) include:
- lactation
- last trimester of pregnancy;
- physical inactivity, the consequence of a prolonged stay in bed;
- excessive physical activity.
What to do with a bad result
Upon receipt of unsatisfactory indicators of analysis for fractions of proteins, one should not immediately panic. It is necessary to consult a doctor and try to remember what could provoke a similar condition.
Based on the collected history, the doctor will advise you to repeat the analysis later or prescribe an additional examination.
First of all, it will be necessary to pass:
- general and detailed blood test;
- general analysis of urine.
Instrumental methods will be prescribed based on the patient's complaints. For example, if a patient has a stomach ache against a background of a change in the level of albumin, then he will need to conduct an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, an x-ray of this area, etc.
As medical practice shows, an isolated increase in total protein in the blood is more often a variant of the norm than with a shift in its fractions. Such conditions require a more thorough examination and examination of the patient's medical history. If a person feels well, nothing hurts, and the rest of the tests are in order, with a high degree of probability we can say that he is healthy. In more rare cases, the early stages of serious diseases, such as oncology, cirrhosis, etc., against the background of visible well-being, cause changes in some fractions of proteins. Therefore, any deviation from the norm indicates the need to pay attention to your health.