What is a total protein and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio test?
A total protein and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio test measures the total amount of protein in your blood. There are two major types of protein in the blood:
- Albumin, which helps keep blood from leaking out of blood vessels. It also helps move hormones, medicines, vitamins, and other important substances throughout the body. Albumin is made in the liver.
- Globulins, which help fight infection and move nutrients throughout the body. Some globulins are made by the liver. Others are made by the immune system.
The test also compares the amount of albumin in your blood to the amount of globulin. The comparison is called the albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio.
If your total protein levels or A/G ratio results are not normal, it can be a sign of a serious health problem.
Other names: total serum protein, TP albumin/globulin ratio
What is it used for?
A total protein and A/G ratio test is often included as part of a comprehensive metabolic panel, a test that measures proteins and other substances in the blood. It may also be used to help diagnose kidney disease, liver disease, or nutritional problems.
Why do I need a total protein and A/G ratio test?
You may get this test as part of a comprehensive metabolic panel, which is often included in a routine checkup. You may also need this test if you have symptoms that indicate abnormal protein levels. These include:
- Swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, and/or abdomen, which is caused by extra fluid in your tissues
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). This is a common symptom of liver disease.
- Blood in the urine, a common symptom of kidney disease
What happens during a total protein and A/G ratio test?
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
Will I need to do anything to prepare for this test?
You don’t need any special preparations for a total protein and A/G ratio test.
Are there any risks to this test?
There is very little risk to having a blood test. There may be slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
What do the results mean?
Your results will show whether you have normal, low, or high total protein levels. They will also show if you have a normal, low, or high albumin to globulin (A/G) ratio.
If your total protein levels were low, it may mean you have one of the following conditions:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Malnutrition, a condition in which your body does not get the calories, vitamins, and/or minerals needed for good health
- A malabsorption syndrome, a type of disorder in which your small intestine can’t absorb enough nutrients from food. Malabsorption syndromes include celiac disease and Crohn’s disease.
If your total protein levels were high, it may mean you have one of the following conditions:
- An infection such as HIV or viral hepatitis
- Multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer
If your A/G ratio was low, it may be caused by:
- An autoimmune disease, such as lupus
- Liver disease, including cirrhosis
- Kidney disease
If your A/G ratio was high, it may be caused by:
- Certain types of genetic disorders
- Leukemia
If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.
Is there anything else I need to know about a total protein and A/G ratio test?
In addition to total protein levels, your provider may order a separate blood test for albumin and/or a test for globulins. The globulins test is called serum electrophoresis. It is a blood test that measures the levels of four different types of globulins.
These results may show the following:
Low albumin levels may be a sign of:
- Liver disease, including cirrhosis
- Kidney disease
- Malnutrition
- Thyroid disease
High albumin levels may be a sign of:
Low globulin levels may be a sign of:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
High globulin levels may be a sign of:
- Certain types of blood cancers, such as multiple myeloma, Hodgkin disease, or leukemia
- Hemolytic anemia
- An autoimmune disease, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
- Tuberculosis