What Are the Symptoms of High Protein in Blood?
High blood protein is not usually accompanied by symptoms and is usually diagnosed through a blood test, according to Mayo Clinic. While it is not a disorder, high blood protein can sometimes indicate the presence of a disease.
Known as hyperproteinemia, high blood protein is a condition in which there is an unusual concentration of protein in the bloodstream. Mayo Clinic states that it is not caused by a high protein diet and may occur naturally as the body fights off inflammation or illness. More serious causes of high blood protein are HIV/AIDS, dehydration and chronic inflammation. High blood protein is also the earliest symptom of bone marrow diseases such as multiple myeloma.
Proteins circulate through the blood to help fight disease, according to Mayo Clinic. They also regulate the body’s functions, build muscle and transport substances throughout the body. High blood protein is not inherently harmful, but in cases of dehydration, it is associated with an increase in the concentration of blood plasma.
When high blood protein in a patient is discovered, Mayo Clinic states that doctors usually recommend a battery of blood tests to pinpoint the origin of the proteins, what kind of protein is being produced, and whether or not they indicate bone marrow disease.
