Liver
Globulin
What This Marker Tells Us
A diverse group of proteins including antibodies, transport proteins, and clotting factors, primarily reflecting immune system activity and chronic inflammation.
Why It Matters
Increase with chronic infection, autoimmune disease, inflammatory conditions, and certain cancers. While albumin reflects nutrition and synthesis, globulins reveal immune activation and inflammatory burden. Elevated globulins suggest your body is chronically fighting something like infection, autoimmunity, or malignancy. The albumin/globulin ratio helps distinguish between these conditions.
How to Interpret Your Trends
Low globulin (below 2.0 g/dL) suggests immunodeficiency, malnutrition, or impaired protein synthesis. Typical globulin (2.0-3.5 g/dL) indicates balanced immune function. High globulin (above 3.5 g/dL) signals chronic inflammation, infection, autoimmune disease, or rarely multiple myeloma. Very high levels warrant protein electrophoresis to identify specific abnormalities.
What Influences This Marker
Chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory conditions elevate globulins. Multiple myeloma produces abnormal immunoglobulins. Immunodeficiency and malnutrition lower globulins. Treating underlying infections, managing autoimmunity, and reducing chronic inflammation normalize levels. Adequate nutrition supports normal globulin production.
How Your Team Uses It
Your coach uses globulin to assess immune activity and chronic inflammatory burden. Elevated levels prompt investigation of underlying infections, autoimmune conditions, or inflammatory diseases. It helps distinguish between nutritional causes (low albumin) and inflammatory causes (high globulin) when total protein is abnormal.
Related Signals We Also Review
Total protein, albumin, A/G ratio, CRP, CBC, liver function, and immune markers complete the protein and inflammation assessment.