If you need to know which are the proteins reference range or you require more information about the role of proteins in the blood, you can visit normal protein levels in the blood
A low level of total proteins in the blood is called hypoproteinemia and it is usually due to:
Protein values are usually given in g/dl but sometimes you can see these values in g/L following the International System of Units (SI). In case your values are in g/L you can convert them using this tool:
Protein levels are a bit low and it is necessary to study which type of protein is causing the low levels. It may be the albumin or some type of globulins.
Mild hypoproteinemia may be due to malabsorption (Crohn’s disease, celiac disease) or a problem related to the kidney or the liver.
You should visit your doctor to find a diagnosis. If you are a woman and you are taking oral contraceptives tell it to your doctor because it may be a possible cause.
Protein levels are very low and if albumin is also low you can suffer from edema (swelling of the legs) and ascites (build-up of fluid in the abdomen).
The main reason is a renal failure (nephrotic syndrome, glomerulonephritis, etc.). You should visit your doctor because is a situation that requires to keep an eye.
There are some genetic disorders related to marked hypoproteinemia such as agammaglobulinemia where there is a problem in the production of some type of proteins. This possibility should be considered in infants.
To suffer a particular health situation or taking some drugs can reduce your protein level in the blood:
The following diseases can explain a protein level in the blood lower than normal:
The protein intake on the diet does not usually have any influence in the protein level in the blood. An increase in the protein intake does not increase the protein blood level.
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The following values are considered to be below the normal range:
IMPORTANT: These levels are expressed in g/dl. They are an example of a healthy man of about 45 years old with a balanced diet, no known disease and not taking any medication. The ranges can be different depending on the laboratory or on your personal circumstances.
Proteins | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild hypoproteinemia | |||||||
| 5.9 g/dl | 5.8 g/dl | 5.7 g/dl | 5.6 g/dl | 5.5 g/dl | 5.4 g/dl | 5.3 g/dl | 5.2 g/dl |
| 5.1 g/dl | 5 g/dl | 4.9 g/dl | 4.8 g/dl | 4.7 g/dl | 4.6 g/dl | 4.5 g/dl | 4.4 g/dl |
| 4.3 g/dl | 4.2 g/dl | 4.1 g/dl | 4 g/dl | ||||
| Marked hypoproteinemia | |||||||
| 3.9 g/dl | 3.8 g/dl | 3.7 g/dl | 3.6 g/dl | 3.5 g/dl | 3.4 g/dl | 3.3 g/dl | 3.2 g/dl |
| 3.1 g/dl | 3 g/dl | 2.9 g/dl | 2.8 g/dl | 2.7 g/dl | 2.6 g/dl | 2.5 g/dl | 2.4 g/dl |
| 2.3 g/dl | 2.2 g/dl | 2.1 g/dl | 2 g/dl | 1.9 g/dl | 1.8 g/dl | 1.7 g/dl | 1.6 g/dl |
| 1.5 g/dl | 1.4 g/dl | 1.3 g/dl | 1.2 g/dl | 1.1 g/dl | 1 g/dl | 0.9 g/dl | 0.8 g/dl |
| 0.7 g/dl | 0.6 g/dl | 0.5 g/dl | 0.4 g/dl | 0.3 g/dl | 0.2 g/dl | 0.1 g/dl | 0 g/dl |
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