Low Blood Protein??

[SpinFan]

So I just had a physical, and apparently my protein level was low on my bloodwork. I think my Dr said that an 8 was normal and I was around a 6. I'm getting about .75 to 1g/lb of bodyweight, so I'm really confused. Does anyone have any idea why this would happen?

Thanks!!

[gbardahl]

Blood protein levels have nothing to do with the amount of protein you are consuming a day. One reason blood protein levels are often monitored is because most of your blood proteins are synthesized in the liver. So, your blood protein levels give the doctor an idea of how well your liver is functioning. Blood protein levels also has a lot to do with blood pressure and filtration in the kidneys. If your doctor didn't panic I wouldn't worry to much about it.

[Dr. Horse]

Blood protein levels have nothing to do with the amount of protein you are consuming a day.

Actually it does. A poor nutrition state will result in low serum albumin and total protein.

We need to know the OP's albumin. If it is low, it could be a synthetic problem in the liver. It is normal, we we need to find a cause for a lower globulin gap. It could be an immune issue (low immunoglobulins) or something else.

Probably should work it up.

[gbardahl]

Actually it does. A poor nutrition state will result in low serum albumin and total protein.

We need to know the OP's albumin. If it is low, it could be a synthetic problem in the liver. It is normal, we we need to find a cause for a lower globulin gap. It could be an immune issue (low immunoglobulins) or something else.

Probably should work it up.

Thanks for correcting me...although I was under the impression severe malnutrition was need for your blood protein levels to be low. Yes I too believe that more info is needed as their could be countless problems that can stem from low levels of blood protein.

[SpinFan]

Thanks guys! I think my doctor said it was my albumin. She also told me I need to eat more protein, which is the part that made me go "huh?"

[SpinFan]

bump?

[Dr. Horse]

Thanks guys! I think my doctor said it was my albumin. She also told me I need to eat more protein, which is the part that made me go "huh?"

No, I'm sure it was your total protein. Normal albumin is much lower than 8 g/dL. You need to find out your albumin.

[SpinFan]

Ok, I will try to find out the breakdown. Mr Horse, you're knowledgeable, would low blood protein mean that i'm not getting enough dietary protein, or not necessarily?

[Dr. Horse]

Ok, I will try to find out the breakdown. Mr Horse, you're knowledgeable, would low blood protein mean that i'm not getting enough dietary protein, or not necessarily?

You already told us that you're getting more than enough. Like I said, we need to know the globulin gap (difference between albumin and total protein) to narrow down the potential causes.

[SpinFan]

So I just gave my Dr's office a call, and the numbers are:
Total Protein - 6.2
Albumin - 3.7



Thanks!

[Dr. Horse]

So I just gave my Dr's office a call, and the numbers are:
Total Protein - 6.2
Albumin - 3.7



Thanks!

Those numbers are normal.

Have a nice day.

[SpinFan]

Those numbers are normal.

Have a nice day.

Thanks Mr Horse! I really dont understand my Dr. I poked around online and it looks like i'm on the low end of the normal range. I think I need a new PCP, this is not the first time she's been clueless about what results mean.