During the biochemical analysis of the blood, a study of the total protein is carried out. This indicator is the concentration of protein molecules of all kinds and fractions that make up the blood plasma. In the human body, the protein is represented by a multitude of subspecies (more than a hundred), some of which consist exclusively of the amino acid set, and the other contains various complexes with other substances (lipids, carbohydrates, etc.).
The role of proteins in the human body
Proteins serve as a kind of framework, a plastic material on which other elements of tissues and cells hold. With a sufficient number of proteins, the organs and structures of the body are fully functional in a structural and functional sense. By the indicator of the total protein of the blood, one can assess the readiness of the organism to respond to various structural and organ structure and system disorders.
Also, the role of proteins is to maintain the immune defense of the body, regulate the acid-base balance, participate in the coagulation system, carry out transport functions, etc. Therefore, the amount of total protein is an important parameter in the diagnosis of diseases, especially those associated with a metabolic disorder.
Causes of high protein content in the blood
Pathological changes in the parameters of the total protein can be represented both by its reduced content and increased. More often than not, experts are faced with a decrease in this parameter. Cases when the total protein in the blood is elevated, are more rare, but are specific, characteristic of a narrow range of diseases. In adults, the normal figures for this parameter are 64-84 g / l.
If the total protein in the blood is increased, the reasons can be as follows:
- severe dehydration of the body due to infectious processes, intoxications, septic states;
- increased production of antibodies in the formation of immunity after vaccination or transferred infectious diseases (with a slight increase);
- myeloma (cancer of blood cells belonging to
immune system and produced in the bone marrow); - DIC-syndrome (bleeding disorder of the blood);
- acute bleeding;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- systemic lupus erythematosus ;
- cirrhosis, chronic liver hepatitis;
- intestinal obstruction.
If an increased protein in the blood is detected, it is important to conduct further diagnostic measures as soon as possible to determine the exact cause and purpose of the treatment.