Your blood contains a number of proteins that serve functions ranging from maintaining fluid balance to enhancing your immune system. Your kidneys and liver are responsible for filtering these proteins, removing excess wastes from the body. However, certain medical conditions can cause you to build up proteins rather than release them through your urine. Because high blood protein levels are associated with several serious health conditions, it is important to be aware of their effects on the body.
Detection
Your physician can test your protein levels through a blood test. This test often is ordered as part of a comprehensive metabolic panel, or CMP, that also measures calcium and glucose levels in your blood. Note that the proteins measured in this test are not the same as eating a high-protein diet. Instead, the proteins measured include albumin and globulins, which are two forms of blood proteins. Globulins are associated with the immune system while albumins maintain fluid balance in your body. The laboratory often will provide test results that give your physician an A/G ratio, which is a measurement of the amount of albumin versus globulins in your body. The typical ratio is close to 1 to 1; a higher ratio indicates the body is not producing enough globulins, which could indicate an impaired immune system.
Immediate Effects
If your blood test results reveal high blood protein levels, this tells your physician you are experiencing the effects of an infection or chronic inflammation in the body. Some symptoms associated with high blood protein levels include nausea, loss of appetite, sudden weight loss, unexplained fatigue and/or a persistent fever. It is possible to have high blood protein levels and experience no outward symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is possible your physician can detect high blood protein levels via routine blood testing.
Long-Term Indications
High blood protein levels often indicate the need for further testing because they can be the side effect of an underlying medical condition. Conditions associated with high blood protein levels include amyloidosis, HIV/AIDS, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance or multiple myeloma. Your physician will use your test results, symptoms and clinical history to determine your next steps.
Other Effects
In addition to the presence of an underlying medical condition, having high protein levels in your blood in the long term can harm your kidneys. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering proteins in the blood. An excess buildup of protein can tax your kidneys and cause proteins in your blood to move into your urine. This transition, a condition known as proteinuria, can damage the filtration system of the kidneys, impacting your body's ability to remove wastes from your blood. Because long-term untreated proteinuria can ultimately lead to kidney failure, it is important to seek medical attention so a physician can initiate a treatment plan to minimize damage.
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