The protein are in a way the essential building blocks of our cells: they play a role in all the reactions of the organism.

There are more than a hundred different proteins circulating in the blood, thealbumin however, representing 60% of them.

In addition to a role of transporting many substances (hormones, lipids, etc.), blood proteins are involved in the coagulation, immunity, maintenance of blood pressure, etc.

It is possible to perform a total serum protein assay, which provides information in particular on the functioning of many organs.

Serum (serum) protein analysis is useful in many situations to guide a diagnosis, clarify the severity of a disease, or monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

It is a very common examination which makes it possible to evaluate the function of certain organs (the liver, the kidneys) and to highlight certain abnormalities (inflammatory syndrome, autoimmune diseases, lymphomas, etc.).

Thus, this dosage can be prescribed, among others, in case of:

• inflammatory syndrome
• deterioration of general condition
• abnormalities in the blood count (blood test)
• unexplained bone or joint pain
• liver problems
• renal failure

The dosage of serum proteins or plasma is done by electrophoresis, after a simple blood test: the blood (serum) is placed in an electric field, which causes the proteins to “migrate”. They separate according to their electrical charge and their weight, which makes it possible to distinguish them from one another and to spot anomalies.

This test is usually done at the same time as other basic tests, such as a full blood count or sedimentation rate. Indeed, the level of proteins in the blood (protidemia) does not depend only on the proteins, but also on the blood volume (the dilution can be more or less).

As a guide, the normal value of total serum protein is between 65 and 80 grams / L. The albumin / globulin ratio is between 1,2 and 1,8.

An increase in total plasma protein (hyperprotidémie) is observed in many situations, such as dehydration (“heat stroke”, diarrhea, vomiting) or during various diseases such as myeloma which cause an increase in the mass of circulating proteins.

Decreases in the concentration of total protein (hypoprotidémies) can be caused by a lack of intake (malnutrition) or a lack of absorption, by a lack of synthesis (liver failure), by an abnormal loss in the kidney or by water overload (hemodilution).

Electrophoresis analysis shows the distribution of the main blood proteins and draws a characteristic “profile” which can be interpreted by the doctor.

So, in case of inflammatory syndrome, for example, the “tracing” will be typical, showing an increase in alpha globulins (hyperalphaglobulinemia) and a decrease in albumin.

The increase in beta-globulins, meanwhile, can mean the presence of iron deficiency, hypothyroidism or biliary obstruction.

The nephrotic syndrome (kidney dysfunction) will be characterized by hypoalbuminemia and hyperalphaglobulinemia.

Only the doctor can identify an abnormal trace, and prescribe additional examinations to make a diagnosis.