Hyperproteinemia: Definition, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

What’s covered?

High blood protein levels, known as hyperproteinemia, are caused by underlying diseases or illnesses. By treating the underlying illness may most cases, total protein levels may be restored.

High blood protein is known as hyperproteinemia and is a sign of an underlying medical problem. In most cases, treating the underlying illness can restore healthy levels of blood protein.

What is hyperproteinemia?

High blood protein (hyperproteinemia) indicates abnormally high levels of protein in the blood.

Albumin and globulin are the two major types of proteins found in the blood and assist the body in producing essential substances including hormones, enzymes, and antibodies

Typically, the overall quantity of protein in the blood is relatively steady. High blood protein levels may indicate underlying medical issues, such as dehydration, infections such as hepatitis C, or cancers such as multiple myeloma.

High blood protein levels are not a disease or illness in and of themselves. It is often a laboratory finding discovered during the assessment of a specific disease or symptom. Even while dehydrated when individuals have high blood protein levels, the real issue is that their blood plasma is more concentrated.

What causes elevated blood protein levels?

There are many reasons why you may have hyperproteinemia or an imbalance in the blood's ratio of albumin to globulins. These can include:

• Dehydration
• Amyloidosis (the buildup of abnormal proteins in organs)
• Chronic inflammation or inflammatory disorders
• Viral infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS
• Certain types of cancers, including multiple myeloma, sarcoidosis and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia
• Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)
• Severe liver or kidney disease

· Certain blood proteins may be raised while the body is fighting an infection or inflammation. People with some illnesses of the bone marrow, such as multiple myeloma, may have elevated blood protein levels prior to exhibiting other symptoms.

A high-protein diet does not induce high blood protein.

Function of proteins

Proteins are big, intricate molecules that are important for the operation of all cells and organs. They are produced at several locations inside the body and circulate in the blood.

Proteins come in many forms including contractile proteins, antibodies, enzymes, hormonal proteins, and structural, transport and storage proteins. They serve several purposes, including:

• Aiding you in fighting sickness
• Coordinates body functions
• Building muscle and body tissue
• Facilitates metabolic reactions
• Balancing fluid and pH levels
• Transporting nutrients

· Distributing medications and other chemicals throughout the body

How is hyperproteinemia diagnosed?

Blood tests present information on elevated blood protein levels. Doctors often prescribe a complete metabolic panel which is a blood test that measures the protein levels as part of an overall physical evaluation. The health care professional obtains a blood sample by inserting a tiny needle into a vein in your arm. A laboratory examines the blood sample to determine, among other things, the quantity of total protein in your body.

Typical blood test outcomes include total protein levels, albumin levels, and the albumin-to-globulin ratio. Abnormal blood protein levels may need further testing, such as protein electrophoresis and quantitative immunoglobulins.

How is hyperproteinemia treated?

The underlying cause determines the treatment for high blood protein levels. For instance, if you have hyperproteinemia due to moderate dehydration, your physician may advise you to drink extra fluids and retest your blood.

Doctors treat high blood protein levels by treating the underlying cause and the patient's symptoms. If a blood test reveals elevated blood protein levels, see your physician. Ensure that you undergo any extra tests prescribed by your physician. Also, ensure that you attend your follow-up visits. Follow-up care may assist ensure that the underlying reason is handled appropriately and evaluating the need for further blood testing.

When to visit a physician

If your physician detects elevated blood protein levels during an assessment, they may request further testing to uncover the underlying cause.

A total protein test may determine blood protein levels. Other, more specialised tests, such as serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), may assist in specifying the actual source of your elevated blood protein levels, such as the liver or bone marrow, as well as the particular protein type implicated. If your doctor believes you have a disorder of the bone marrow, they may prescribe a SPEP.

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