Blood test for protein fractions

Any doctor knows that human plasma contains a huge amount of protein formations. During the analysis, all the protein fractions contained in the blood are detected. Their number may indicate any pathologies. Basically, these are diseases that can be easily treated. However, there are cases of detection and serious diseases, for example, malignant tumors or tuberculosis.

A modern method for studying protein fractions

Of course, in order to identify protein fractions of blood, there is not one modern method. However, the most popular of all is the electrophoresis method. This research is understood as carrying out of the analysis by means of influence on it of an electric current. He turns off blood and separates the red corpuscles from the plasma. Do not take the results of this analysis as a complete diagnosis. Analysis for protein fractions is only an additional procedure that confirms this or that pathology.

Proteins, protein fractions: classification

All investigated protein fractions during the analysis can be divided into three main groups:

• albumen;
• Total protein;
• Microalbumin in urine.

Albumin is the largest fraction of human plasma. Its content in the blood exceeds 50%. High concentration of the substance may indicate liver disease, heart failure, pathology of the gastrointestinal tract. The lack of albumin in the blood may indicate dehydration.

The common protein is the main component of human blood. By its number, you can determine the presence of a huge number of diseases. A high index of total protein in the body indicates the presence of infectious ailments, oncology, autoimmune pathologies. The causes of a lack of total protein can serve as diseases of the digestive tract, liver.

Microalbumin in the urine, or, more accurately, increasing its content may indicate the presence of kidney disease and hypertension. In addition, it helps to identify diabetes at an early stage. It should be noted that even a small deviation of this component in human plasma indicates possible pathologies in his body.

Normal indices of the protein fraction

Due to the fact that the protein fractions in the biochemical blood test are detected very quickly, such an analysis can be called accurate. The normal content of protein formations in each person is individual. But not only the uniqueness of the individual affects the content of protein fractions in the body. In this study, it is also recommended to take into account the age of the patient.

So, in newborns up to 1 year the content of protein compounds varies from 47 to 72 g / l. For children from 1 year to 4 years, this rate varies from 61 to 75 g / l. The protein content in the blood in children aged 5 to 7 years begins at 57 and ends at 78 g / l. In large children and adults, this indicator is considered normal from 58 to 76 g / l. So, the content of albumins in the blood should be as follows:

• In children under 14 years of age - 38-54 g / l.
• In adults from 14 to 60 years - 35-50 g / l.
• In the elderly, over 60 years - 34-48 g / l.

How is the test done?

If the patient tests for the level of albumin or the total protein in the plasma, then it is necessary to approach blood sampling early in the morning. Breakfast is not allowed. The stomach should be empty for eight hours. The patient is only allowed to drink water. Also, one day before this study, it is forbidden to eat too fatty or fried foods. It is necessary to abandon alcoholic drinks and not overload the body with manual labor.

Taking a material for microalbumin in the urine is much more difficult. A person within a day should collect all the excreted urine in a separate clean container. Take liquid in the morning is not allowed. After complete collection of material, it must be brought to the study, indicating at the same time its exact height and weight.

What else can not be done before the analysis?

There are a number of prohibitions before passing the analysis to protein fractions. The interpretation of the research will be greatly distorted if the person does not fulfill at least one of all the requirements. So, before giving blood directly from the vein, the individual is not allowed to smoke. Also, it's worthwhile to postpone the procedure if the patient suffered a lot of stress the day before.

The result of the biochemical blood test will also distort the procedures such as X-ray, ultrasound, fluorography. Adults several weeks before the test should stop any medication that could affect the composition of the blood. The newborn is not recommended to take an analysis for the determination of protein fractions at the moment of exacerbation of teething. Although this study in infants is extremely rare.

If the results are not normal ...

If the patient received the results of a biochemical blood test on his hands, and the protein content differs from the normal one, then one should not experience much. It is important to remember whether there were any stresses on the eve. If so, you should ask the doctor for a repeat analysis.

In addition, a slight deviation from the norm can be observed in a certain group of people, for example, in smokers, pregnant women, individuals who take drugs for a long time, people who have a fever. The study of blood on protein fractions should always be taken, just as a reference, and not as a diagnostic method. However, we must not underestimate the parameters of globulins in human blood. Just their content can determine the presence of specific pathologies.

Who is assigned the analysis for protein fractions?

Very often a similar blood test is sent to healthy people. This happens, as a rule, during planned medical examinations. But the bulk of the research is carried out in patients who have suspicions of any pathology. Very often, people with various chronic or acute diseases, autoimmune abnormalities and pathologies of the liver, kidneys get to the examination.

Also, a mandatory biochemical study relies on patients who suffer from various infectious and neoplastic (including malignant) diseases. Sometimes, during prolonged flow of viral diseases, the doctor can also send the patient to an analysis indicating the protein content of the protein fractions.

Diseases affecting the results of the analysis

Due to some diseases, the protein fractions in the biochemical analysis increase or decrease. Most often, changes in these indicators cause tumor processes, infectious diseases and chronic pathologies. Unfortunately, sometimes the protein in the plasma is increased because of malignant tumors. However, it is not uncommon for a deviation from the norm of albumin or a common protein is due to stresses brought by a person.

Also, the increase in the level of protein in the blood of a person is often due to pregnancy. It affects the number of fractions and diseases of the liver and kidneys, as well as the intake of certain medications. If the patient had a deviation from the norm of the gamma-globulin protein, the doctor can assume he has hepatitis, leukemia, lymphoma, ulcerative colitis and other specific diseases. If some other symptoms occur, the doctor may also send the patient to an HIV test.

However, when testing for protein fractions, it is worth remembering that during certain diseases, especially at the initial stage, the globulin in the blood of a person can remain normal. Such an anomaly is usually observed in 10% of patients. Young parents should not be upset even if their infant at the age of up to six months has been found to have a lower level of globulins in the blood. In young children, a really similar deviation is not considered a pathology.

Who will help to correctly decipher the analysis?

A competent patient who cares about his health, in no case will not independently diagnose himself. After all, protein fractions in the biochemical analysis of blood, or rather their level, can testify about anything. Moreover, it is worthwhile to understand that on the basis of one analysis the doctor will not make a diagnosis. First, the symptoms in the complex are taken into account, and then the disease, which the patient suffers, is already indicated.

Only an experienced doctor knows about which pathologies the deviation of indicators from the norm arises, and what proteins are responsible for this or that disease. If the patient starts to diagnose himself, it can cause him a panic condition. Also, faith in successful and quality treatment will be lost.