What do high globulin levels mean

Serum globulin electrophoresis ; MedlinePlus. Boston: Butterworths Chapter For ages now I seem to get a horrible type of pain in my neck, collar bone and shoulders when drinking alcohol! It's not every time and sometimes if i'm drinking for example wine, one session I can Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy.

Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions. This article is for Medical Professionals. In this article Introduction Tests and their clinical significance Investigating the cause of a raised globulin level Therapeutic uses of globulins.

Globulins In this article Introduction Tests and their clinical significance Investigating the cause of a raised globulin level Therapeutic uses of globulins. Introduction Globulins are a group of proteins within the blood. Alpha 1 globulins Mainly alpha-1 antitrypsin. Alpha 2 globulins Alpha 2 macroglobulin. If the blood is not flowing well, the phlebotomist may ask you to squeeze a small ball to help. Let the phlebotomist know if you become dizzy, lightheaded, or feel like you're going to faint during or after having your blood drawn.

The area where the vein was punctured will be covered with a cotton pad and medical tape. The phlebotomist may instruct you to keep these on for the next several hours. It's usually recommended that you refrain from heavy lifting, exercise, or strenuous activity for several hours after the blood draw. Blood draws do not typically have an extended recovery period, so you will be able to drive yourself home after the test.

If you become dizzy or faint, you will be asked to stay at the lab for a little while to rest, have a snack, and something to drink. There are no special instructions to follow after a blood draw for a globulin test.

Your healthcare provider may let you know when to expect the results. They will contact you when the test comes back and may ask you to return to the office to go over the results. You shouldn't have any major longterm issues related to having your blood taken. Even if you got dizzy or fainted after the test, healthy people usually recover quickly with rest and fluids. Fainting after having your blood drawn is commonly due to dehydration or low blood sugar hypoglycemia , especially if you were fasting before the test.

Results usually take several days to one week to arrive, depending on the size of the laboratory. Your healthcare provider will receive the results, interpret them, determine what the next steps will be, then relay all of this information to you. Results from a globulin test come in the form of laboratory values.

These numbers indicate whether a person has healthy levels of proteins in their blood. Protein globulin levels for adults normally fall between 2.

The normal range for total protein is between 6. In some cases, these proteins may be elevated. For example, it's normal for these proteins to be higher during pregnancy.

The ratio responds to how much of each component there is in the blood for example, if albumin levels are higher than globulin levels. In general, a value of just above 1 is considered normal. A low ratio can be a sign of autoimmune disorders , poor kidney function, or liver disease. A high ratio may indicate certain types of cancer or genetic conditions. The results of a globulin test are not used alone. Your healthcare provider will interpret them with the findings from your physical examination , medical history, and other tests before making a diagnosis.

If the results are normal, you won't need any specific follow-up for the test. However, your healthcare provider may want to run other types of tests if you are having symptoms. If the results are outside the normal range, your healthcare provider may have you do additional blood tests to provide more specific information.

If your healthcare provider suspects a specific condition like cancer, you may need imaging tests like an MRI to look for tumors or swollen lymph nodes. A blood draw for a globulin test is generally safe for most people, doesn't take a lot of time, and will usually be covered by a health insurance plan.

However, you should still understand the procedure and its risks. When the results of the test come back, you will want to talk to your healthcare provider about any additional tests that are needed as well as what your treatment options are. There are steps you can take to improve your health even before the test is done and regardless of what the results are. Eating a balanced diet, exercising, losing weight if needed, and quitting smoking can all improve your overall health.

If you're anxious about the test, the results, or what comes next, stress management and relaxation techniques can help. Sex hormone binding globulin SHBG is a protein made by your liver that binds the hormones estrogen, dihydrotestosterone, and testosterone. Healthcare providers may order a blood test to check the levels of this protein to diagnose hormone-related disorders such as androgen deficiency or hypogonadism.

If your protein level is high, you may have a gastrointestinal problem, or it may be a sign of cancer, an autoimmune disease, or a genetic disorder. However, being on bed rest for too long, dehydration, and problems during the blood draw can also cause a high reading.

Your healthcare provider will likely follow up with additional tests. Research shows that aerobic and strength exercises may lower globulin levels in a way that is believed to help with overall health. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Michigan Medicine. Total Serum Protein. University of Michigan. Updated March 28, Dhingra N.

Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; National Health Service. Updated January Are patients well informed about the fasting requirements for laboratory blood testing?

Serum protein electrophoresis. This blood test measures gamma globulins and other proteins in your blood. It can be used to diagnose a variety of conditions, including disorders of the immune system and a type of cancer called multiple myeloma.

Other names for globulin tests: Serum globulin electrophoresis, total protein. What is it used for? Globulin tests can be used to help diagnose a variety of conditions, including: Liver damage or disease Kidney disease Nutritional problems Autoimmune disorders Certain types of cancer.

Why do I need a globulin test? These tests, called liver function tests, may be ordered if you are at risk for liver disease or have symptoms of liver disease, which may include: Jaundice , a condition that causes your skin and eyes to turn yellow Nausea and vomiting Itching Recurring fatigue Fluid buildup in the abdomen, feet, and legs Loss of appetite A serum protein electrophoresis test measures gamma globulins and other proteins.

This test may be ordered to diagnose disorders related to the immune system , including: Allergies Autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis Multiple myeloma, a type of cancer. What happens during a globulin test?

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test? Are there any risks to the test? What do the results mean?

Atlanta: American Cancer Society Inc. What is multiple myeloma? Globulin in the normal range usually implies a normal balance of carrier proteins, enzymes, and antibodies that are needed for many biological processes.

It also likely means that there is no viral infection or an inflammatory or immune disorder [ 2 ]. Your doctor will interpret your results in conjunction with your medical history and other test results.

The conditions we discuss here are commonly associated with high globulin, but this single symptom is not enough for a diagnosis. Work with your doctor to discover what underlying condition might be causing high globulin levels and to develop an appropriate plan to improve your health. Studies are now revealing that high globulin gamma gap is linked with an increased risk of disease and death. A review of more than 12k people found an increased risk of death from all causes in people with a gamma gap above 3.

Similarly, a gamma gap over 3. In an observational study of 27, healthy people, a low albumin-to-globulin ratio similar to a high gamma gap , was linked with increased rates of cancer and death [ 13 ]. One possible answer is that increased production of immunoglobulins is linked with inflammation ; inflammatory factors like c-reactive protein and IL-6, for example, increase immunoglobulins [ 12 ].

Inflammation also rises with aging, which could explain why older people with higher gamma gaps were more likely to die than those with lower gamma gaps.

The most important thing is to work with your doctor to treat any underlying conditions causing your high globulin levels. The additional strategies below are other things that you may try if you and your doctor determine that they could be appropriate.

Exercise more often. Both aerobic and strength exercise may help significantly decrease globulin levels in people [ 14 ]. In both men and women, more days per week of either aerobic or strength exercise were significantly associated with lower globulin [ 14 ].