What Causes High Protein Levels in Blood?

High protein levels in blood, a condition known as hyperproteinemia, can be caused by dehydration, kidney issues, or bone marrow diseases. It can also be a sign that your body fights an infection or responds to inflammation. 

Discover common causes of elevated plasma protein levels and learn why it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional if you have abnormal blood protein test results.

What are blood proteins?

Blood proteins are a group of complicated molecules vital for regulating body functions, reducing infection risk, and transporting various compounds through the body. 

These plasma proteins fall into two main categories: albumin and globulins. 

Albumin, the most abundant blood protein, plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance between blood vessels and tissues. It also transports hormones, nutrients, pharmaceutical compounds, and other substances throughout the body. 

Globulins comprise various subtypes of proteins, including immunoglobulins, which are crucial for immune defense as they recognize and eliminate pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and other foreign substances.

Transport globulins such as transferrin and fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) facilitate the movement of iron and lipids throughout the bloodstream.

In addition, fibrinogen, a protein critical for blood clotting, is also classified as a blood protein but is distinct from albumin and globulins due to its specific role in the coagulation process.

Watch the video below to learn what abnormal blood protein levels may reveal about your health. 

What causes high protein levels in blood?

Research published in iScience summarizes, “Hyperproteinemia is characterized by abnormally elevated plasma protein concentrations...and a complication of more than 50 major diseases and severe infections, most commonly, kidney disease, liver disease, and multiple myeloma.” 

In line with this definition, high blood protein rarely results from dietary factors and is more often linked to underlying health conditions.

Although elevated albumin levels are less common than low albumin concentrations, they can occur as a result of chronic inflammatory conditions and prolonged use of corticosteroid and antibiotic drugs. 

High globulin levels in the blood, known as hyperglobulinemia, can be caused by infections, chronic inflammation, and liver disease, which stimulate the increased production of immunoglobulins. 

Additionally, autoimmune disorders and certain bone marrow diseases, such as multiple myeloma, can cause elevated globulin levels due to the excessive production of specific immunoglobulin antibodies.

Although elevated blood protein levels may indicate potentially serious underlying health issues, in some cases, hyperproteinemia can be caused by dehydration.  

Lack of adequate body fluids concentrates proteins in the bloodstream, which can typically be resolved by addressing dehydration and replenishing electrolytes.

Signs of high blood protein levels

Hyperproteinemia isn’t a specific disease and, therefore, doesn't have a distinct set of symptoms, making a diagnosis without an appropriate blood test challenging. 

However, elevated protein levels are typically linked to infections or impaired kidney, liver, or bone marrow function, which can lead to various symptoms such as:

• Fatigue and weakness

• Bone pain

• Bruising

• Jaundice 

• Fluid retention 

• Unexplained weight loss

• Abdominal pain

Depending on the underlying cause, signs of high blood proteins may also include elevated blood pressure, shortness of breath, and skin changes. 

According to research published in the Journal of Insurance Medicine, many cases of hyperproteinemia are undetected until routine blood sample tests reveal elevated blood proteins. 

This highlights the importance of regular health screenings, as early detection helps facilitate timely diagnosis and the management of potentially serious medical issues.

How to test blood proteins

Blood proteins are typically evaluated with a total serum protein test. This blood test determines the levels of albumin and globulins, which helps calculate the albumin-to-globulin (A/G) ratio. 

The A/G ratio offers insight into the balance between these two protein groups, which can indicate various health conditions.

Normal total blood protein levels typically range between 6.0 to 8.3 grams per deciliter (g/dL), while protein levels greater than 8.3 g/dL indicate hyperproteinemia.

An A/G ratio of less than one may indicate an increase in globulins due to chronic inflammation or infections. A ratio greater than 2.5 may suggest a decrease in globulins or increased albumin concentrations, which may be linked to liver disease or dehydration.

Abnormal laboratory findings often prompt further blood tests, such as serum protein electrophoresis, to identify specific protein abnormalities and their underlying causes.

When to see a doctor

It's essential to see a healthcare professional if you have concerns about your protein levels, especially if you have abnormal results from a total protein test.

Your doctor will likely review your medical history, perform a physical examination, and may order additional tests, such as liver and kidney function tests, to evaluate potential underlying causes. 

It’s crucial not to ignore hyperproteinemia even if it isn’t accompanied by any noticeable symptoms, as elevated protein levels can indicate serious health conditions, including cancer, liver diseases, or kidney failure.   

Research published in Liver International confirms that elevated globulin levels can predict significant health issues and increased mortality risk in individuals with liver disease.

Key takeaways

While high protein levels in the blood may not always present with obvious symptoms, it can indicate serious underlying health issues that may require immediate medical attention. 

Conditions such as kidney disease, poor liver function, bone marrow disorders, and blood cancers are commonly associated with elevated protein levels in the bloodstream. 

Regular health screening and frequent monitoring of blood protein levels are critical for early detection of these conditions, as this allows for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

FAQ

1. What causes elevated protein levels in blood?

High blood protein levels, also known as hyperproteinemia, can be linked to dehydration but may also be caused by underlying health conditions such as chronic inflammation, kidney disease, liver dysfunction, or blood cancer.

Abnormal proteins, such as those produced by the immune system during infections, can also contribute to elevated blood protein levels.

2. What happens if protein is high in the blood?

Depending on the underlying cause of elevated blood proteins, hyperproteinemia can lead to complications such as impaired kidney function, liver damage, or multiple myeloma.

High protein in the blood may also be linked to dehydration or infections and typically resolves once the underlying cause has been treated or the body’s fluid balance has been restored.

3. How do you fix high protein in your blood?

While dehydration-related hyperproteinemia can often be resolved by increasing fluid intake, addressing high protein levels caused by other underlying health conditions typically requires targeted medical treatment. 

4. Is 8.4 protein level in blood considered high?

Yes, a total blood protein concentration of 8.4 deciliters (g/dL) is considered elevated and requires prompt medical attention to evaluate the underlying cause.  

Sources

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10518704/ 

2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274259583

3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29194934/