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Serum proteins are primarily albumin (50-60%,
produced by the liver), but also include globulins, and other
proteins.
Serum proteins:
- Maintain water balance in the blood through osmotic pressure
- Transport blood components and nutritional elements
- Help the immune system
- Help with coagulation
Increased protein levels may be seen in:
- Dehydration
- Liver disease
- Tuberculosis
- Lupus
- Collagen vascular disease
- Some cancers
- Hemoconcentration
Decreased protein levels may be seen in:
- Liver disease (decreased production)
- Malnutrition (decreased production)
- Diarrhea (increased loss)
- Renal disease (increased loss)
- Severe burns (increased loss)
- Hemorrhage (increased loss)
- Pregnancy (dilutional)
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Normal Values*
| Men-Women |
3.8-5.0 g/dl |
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Pregnancy
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3.0-4.0 g/dl |
*These are general values taken from a variety of
sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one
type of testing protocol to another.
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