What happen if the person has low blood protein?

Question

What happen if the person has low blood protein?

Answer 1

What happens is that the doctor begins a work up to discover why they are low (and which proteins are low):  nutritional issues, a possible cancer, or genetic issue depending on the patient's age and other factors.

Answer 2

A total serum protein test measures the total amount of protein in the blood. Two major groups of proteins in the blood are albumin and globulin. Albumin is made mainly in the liver. It helps keep the blood from leaking out of blood vessels. Albumin also helps carry some medicines and other substances through the blood and is important for tissue growth and healing.

Globulin is made up of different proteins called alpha, beta, and gamma types. Some globulins are made by the liver, while others are made by the immune system. Certain globulins bind with hemoglobin. Other globulins transport metals, such as iron, in the blood and help fight infection. Serum globulin can be separated into several subgroups by serum protein electrophoresis.

Albumin is tested to:

Check how well the liver and kidney are working.

Find out if your diet contains enough protein.

Help determine the cause of swelling of the ankles (pedal edema) or abdomen (ascites) or of fluid collection in the lungs that may cause shortness of breath (pulmonary edema).

Globulin is tested to:

Determine your chances of developing an infection.

See if you have a rare blood disease, such as multiple myeloma or macroglobulinemia.