Globulin

What is Globulin?

Globulins are a family of proteins made by the liver and the immune system. Globulins do not dissolve in water but are soluble in salt solutions. They make up a large proportion of serum protein.

Globulins can be split into 4 groups:

1. Alpha 1

2. Alpha 2

3. Beta

4. Gamma^[1]

Alpha and beta globulins are primarily transport proteins. For example, haemoglobin is a type of globulin responsible for transporting oxygen to the tissues^[2]. A major beta globulin is transferrin which transports iron molecules in the blood and is responsible for regulating its absorption^[3].

Gamma globulins are important for immunity. The main types of gamma globulins are immunoglobulins (Ig), such as IgA, IgG, and IgM, also known as antibodies.

Globulins are measured alongside albumin, another class of proteins, to provide a total protein measurement. The test is useful for identifying several conditions, including:

• Liver disease

• Kidney disease

• Malnutrition

What is a Normal Level?

The table below shows the normal reference range for globulin according to the NHS and the average globulin level for Forth customers. Globulin is measured in grams per litre (g/l).

* male average = 25.9 g/l, female average = 26 g/l

Average globulin levels by age group:

Our data shows that the average globulin levels for each age group are within the normal reference range.

What is a Globulin Test?

Globulins are a useful biomarker for liver and kidney health, nutrition status, and immune function, but it is rarely measured on its own. Instead, it is usually measured alongside albumin for total protein or as part of a liver function test.

You may have a globulin blood test if you are experiencing the symptoms of an infection which can cause globulin levels to rise, or if you suspect you might have liver damage or disease which causes a reduction in globulin levels.

You can check your globulin levels using an at-home finger prick test kit from Forth which is analysed by one of our accredited partner labs. We provide several tests that measure globulin levels, including:

• Liver Function Blood Test

• Kidney Function Blood Test

• Baseline Health Check

• Ultimate Health Check

What markers should be checked with globulin?

Globulins should be tested alongside the following biomarkers to identify specific conditions:

What Causes High Globulin Levels?

High globulin levels can be a sign of:

• Infection

• Inflammation and inflammatory disorders

• Autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis

• Stress

• Iron deficiency

• Liver cirrhosis

• Specific cancers e.g. multiple myeloma, lymphoma, Waldenstron’s macroglobulinemia

• Dehydration^[1]

Symptoms of high globulin

Because high globulin levels are usually linked with underlying conditions, the side effects will depend on the cause. For example, an infection causes symptoms, like:

• Fever

• Tiredness

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Feeling or being sick

Severe iron deficiency can cause an increase in beta globulins, primarily transferrin, and causes symptoms such as:

• Tiredness

• Lack of energy

• Pale skin

• Headaches

• Shortness of breath

• Heart palpitations^[4]

High globulin levels are a common feature of liver cirrhosis^[5] and causes symptoms such as:

• Tiredness

• Loss of appetite

• Feeling sick

• Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes

• Fever

• Itchy skin

• Bleeding or bruising easily

• Swollen legs, ankles, and feet^[6]

How to Reduce Your Globulin Levels?

If you need to lower your globulin levels, how you can do so will depend on the underlying cause. For example, if an infection or dehydration causes high globulin levels, these conditions are usually temporary and should return to normal once the infection or dehydration has been treated.

Research shows that aerobic or strength exercise can lower blood biomarker levels, including globulin^[7]. Since stress is linked to increased globulin levels^[8] exercise could be a good therapeutic strategy to help combat it.

Smoking increases blood globulin levels, particularly alpha 1 and alpha 2 globulins^[9], so quitting smoking is one way to help bring your globulin levels back to within a normal range.

Globulin levels are sensitive to inflammation and malnutrition, including excessive alcohol consumption, so it is important to follow a healthy lifestyle to keep globulin levels within normal parameters.

What Causes Low Globulin Levels?

Generally, low total protein levels, including low globulin, indicate liver or kidney dysfunction, but they may also be reduced during malnutrition^[10].

• Kidney disease can cause low globulin levels because it reduces the amount of globulin produced and causes protein loss^[11].

• Liver disease can cause low globulin levels or hypoglobulinemia, thought to be because of a reduction in their production and through the reduced capacity of the liver to clear immunoglobulins from the body^[12].

• Malnutrition is a potential cause of low serum globulins because of a lack of production^[13].

Chronic alcohol intake is associated with a greater risk of alcoholic liver disease. Excessive alcohol consumption causes low albumin and a low albumin/globulin ratio (total protein)^[14].

Symptoms of low globulin

The symptoms of low globulin will depend on the underlying cause. The most common causes of low globulin levels are kidney and liver disease, which are associated with the following symptoms:

How to Increase Your Globulin Levels

If low globulin levels are caused by liver or kidney disease, you may need to see a doctor for further advice or tests. They may suggest suitable treatments to help manage the symptoms or slow down the progression of the disease.

There may be certain lifestyle changes you can make to help increase your globulin levels or maintain them within the normal range. They include:

• Increase your dietary protein intake

  Poor nutrition is linked to low protein blood levels, especially albumin. Therefore, it is important to follow a healthy, balanced diet that incorporates all of the macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) the body needs to function.

• Give up alcohol

  Because excessive alcohol consumption is linked to an increased risk of fatty liver, and low globulin levels, limiting your alcohol intake or giving up completely will be hugely beneficial for your liver and kidney health.

• Quit smoking

  Although some research shows that smoking may increase globulin levels, other studies have found it may lower them, especially beta globulin. Therefore, giving up smoking is not only beneficial for your general health and well-being but could be pivotal for bringing your globulin levels to within normal parameters.

Written by Leanne Edermaniger

Based in the UK, Leanne specialises in writing about health, medicine, nutrition, and fitness.

She has over 5 years of experience in writing about health and lifestyle and has a BSc (hons) Biomedical Science and an MSc Science, Communication and Society.