Serum Globulin Test: Types, Purpose, Cost and Results

With a serum globulin test, doctors measure the level of a group of proteins named globulin in your blood. These proteins are made inside your liver and play vital roles in fighting infections as well as controlling blood clots. They also affect liver and kidney function. This is why a serum globulin test is so important. Note that there are different categories of globulins, classified as alpha 1, alpha 2, beta, and gamma. Together, they make up almost half of the proteins present in your blood.

When it comes to measuring globulin levels in your blood, there are two types of serum globulin tests which are a total protein test and a serum protein electrophoresis. Read on to learn about serum globulin and how the serum globulin test stands out as an integral part of checking globulin levels in your blood.

Types of Serum Globulin Tests 

Serum Protein Electrophoresis 

With this type of serum globulin test, doctors usually measure the number of gamma globulins and other trace proteins that are present in your blood serum. With gamma globulins, also known as immunoglobulins, your immunity system can resist and fight off infections and foreign substances.

Doctors recommend this this test to measure conditions like Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, multiple myeloma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and allergies. As a whole, this type of serum globulin test helps in screening, diagnosing as well as monitoring these conditions.

Total Protein Test 

While the above serum globulin test looks for the number of gamma globulins and other trace proteins, the total protein test measures alpha and beta globulin, as well as another protein named albumin. It also gives the ratio between albumin and globulin in your body (also known as the A/G ratio).

This type of serum globulin test is usually a part of liver function tests. Apart from that, doctors may also prescribe a total protein test to check your comprehensive metabolic panel. Moreover, you may have to take the test for conditions like jaundice, fatigue, edema in your stomach or intestines, malnutrition, reduced hunger, nausea and vomiting, itchy skin, and more.

Purposes of Undergoing a Serum Globulin Test

With the two types of serum globulin test, you can check for the following conditions: 

• Autoimmune conditions 
• Metabolism issues 
• Liver conditions 
• Different types of cancer 
• Kidney diseases

How to Prepare for a Serum Globulin Test? 

There are certain preparatory measures you should take before going for a serum globulin test. Make sure to not eat or drink anything overnight or for several hours before the test, as prescribed by your doctor. Also, inform doctors if you consume any of the following drugs: 

• Steroids 
• Dextran 
• Phenacemide 
• Androgens 
• Insulin 
• Tolbutamide 
• Neomycin 
• Growth hormones 
• Isoniazid 
• Salicylates 
• Estrogen and progesterone

In case there is a chance of the result of the serum globulin test being affected by these medications, your doctor may ask you to skip the medication, change doses, or take the same dose at a different time. Make sure not to change the doses or timings without medical supervision!

Normal Range of Protein Content in a Serum Globulin Test? 

A test determines globulin levels in the unit of grams per deciliter (g/dL). Take a look at the normal range.  

• Serum globulin – 2.3 to 3.4 g/dL 
• Total proteins – 6.4 to 8.3 g/dL 
• Albumin – 3.9 to 4.9 g/dL 

Remember that this range may vary among labs as per their measurement techniques. Apart from that, the A/G ratio should ideally remain just over one. If you have low globulin levels or high levels, it is time for you to take the right course of action.

What does an Abnormal Result of the Serum Globulin Test mean? 

A low globulin reading may indicate conditions in the liver and kidney as well as a lack of nutrition. High globulin levels may indicate cancers like Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia or multiple myeloma, infections and swellings, and autoimmune diseases.

Remember that pregnancy and dehydration are some of the conditions where the levels of proteins may go beyond the normal range. Keep in mind that doctors will not use this result alone for diagnosis. Rather, they will take your medical history, physical examination, and report of other tests into consideration and then make a final diagnosis. In such situations, you may have to go for a few follow-ups before getting started with the treatment.

With all these details regarding the serum globulin test, you can now easily undergo the procedure if doctors prescribe it to you or help a friend or a family member regarding their concern with the procedure. For any clarity, you can remotely talk to doctors on Bajaj Finserv Health. Find the best doctors around you on the website or app, and consult as per your convenience. Remember, the platform has thousands of doctors from different specialties registered all over India. You can ask them about the serum globin test, the Apolipoprotein - B test, or about any health concerns and get the answer in no time.

You can also book lab tests like the total protein test to check if you have high or low globulin levels with ease. Enjoy a lab test discount of up to 25% or more on an individual as well as test packages and get tested right from home. Apart from this, you can also opt for Aarogya Care health insurance plans available here. By subscribing to the Complete Health Solution Ultima Plan, you can enjoy comprehensive healthcare coverage of up to Rs.10 lakh for two adults and four children. Additional benefits like Rs.17,000 for doctor consultations and Rs.12,000 for lab tests, as well as wide coverage, can value your health needs and help you save more too!