When routine blood tests reveal elevated protein levels, known as hyperproteinemia, it indicates a higher than typical amount of protein circulating in the bloodstream. While sometimes temporary, it can also point to underlying medical conditions that warrant further investigation. Understanding the various causes of high blood protein is important.
Decoding High Blood Protein
Blood plasma contains numerous proteins, each serving distinct functions in the body, such as transporting substances, fighting infections, and maintaining fluid balance. When a “total protein” test is conducted, it measures the combined amount of these proteins. The two primary categories of proteins measured are albumin and globulins. Albumin, primarily produced by the liver, plays a significant role in preventing fluid from leaking out of blood vessels and transporting various molecules.
Globulins, produced by both the liver and the immune system, are involved in immune responses and fighting infections. A normal range for total protein in the blood is typically 6.0 to 8.3 grams per deciliter (g/dL). While high total protein levels can occur, it is often due to an increase in globulins rather than albumin. An elevated globulin level, particularly specific types of globulins known as immunoglobulins (antibodies), commonly contributes to a high total protein result. This elevation suggests an activated immune response or an overproduction of certain proteins.
Common Triggers for Elevated Levels
High blood protein levels can frequently arise from conditions that temporarily increase the concentration of proteins in the blood or stimulate an acute immune response. Dehydration is a common reason for an elevated total protein result. When the body lacks sufficient fluid, the blood becomes more concentrated, making the protein appear higher than its actual amount. Addressing dehydration, often by increasing fluid intake, can resolve this type of elevated protein level.
Acute infections or inflammatory processes also commonly lead to an increase in blood protein. During these events, the body’s immune system produces more globulins, particularly antibodies, to combat the illness or injury. Examples include common bacterial or viral infections. These elevations are a temporary response and return to normal once the infection or inflammation has subsided.
Underlying Medical Conditions
Beyond common and temporary causes, persistently high blood protein levels can indicate more chronic or significant medical conditions. Monoclonal gammopathies represent a group of disorders characterized by the overproduction of a single type of abnormal protein, known as a monoclonal protein or M-protein. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a condition where M-protein is present, usually causing no symptoms and not cancerous, though it can progress to multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow, which leads to the significant production of M-proteins, often resulting in markedly high blood protein levels.
Chronic inflammatory diseases can also cause sustained elevations in globulins. Conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) and rheumatoid arthritis involve long-term activation of the immune system. This ongoing immune activity results in the continuous production of antibodies and other globulin proteins, contributing to higher total protein levels.
Certain chronic infections, including hepatitis (especially hepatitis B and C) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), are also associated with elevated blood protein levels. These long-term infections stimulate a continuous immune response, leading to increased production of globulins. In some cases, severe liver disease can also affect protein levels, as the liver is a primary site of protein synthesis and degradation. While liver disease might decrease albumin, it can also lead to increased globulin levels, contributing to an overall high total protein.
Diagnosis and Next Steps
If an initial blood test shows elevated protein levels, healthcare providers recommend further diagnostic steps to identify the underlying cause. A common follow-up test is serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), which separates the proteins in the blood into distinct groups, allowing for a more detailed analysis of which specific proteins are elevated. This test can help distinguish between general increases in globulins due to inflammation and the presence of a monoclonal protein.
Depending on the SPEP results and other clinical indicators, additional tests may be necessary. Urine protein electrophoresis (UPEP) may be performed to check for abnormal proteins in the urine, particularly in cases where a monoclonal gammopathy is suspected.
In some situations, a bone marrow biopsy might be considered, especially if conditions like multiple myeloma are a concern, to examine the plasma cells directly. Consulting with a healthcare professional is important for interpreting these test results and determining the appropriate course of action. Treatment for high blood protein levels focuses on addressing the specific underlying condition that caused the elevation, rather than merely treating the protein level itself.