Globulins are a large group of plasma proteins, second after albumin. They include antibodies (immunoglobulins) and transport and inflammatory proteins.
They are not measured directly but usually calculated: globulins = total protein − albumin. A rise in globulins often reflects inflammation or infection, and their fractions are clarified by protein electrophoresis.
Reference ranges
The reference range depends on the lab; approximate values:
| Normal (total) | ≈ 20 – 35 g/L |
| High | chronic inflammation, infection, autoimmune disease |
| Sharply high (monoclonal) | myeloma — clarified by electrophoresis |
| Low | immunodeficiency, protein loss |
What an elevated level means
High globulins (hyperglobulinemia) most often reflect activity of the immune system: chronic infection, autoimmune disease, liver disease.
Special attention is needed for a monoclonal rise in one fraction (gamma) — it occurs in multiple myeloma and other blood diseases. Protein electrophoresis helps tell them apart.
What a low level means
Low globulins are less common and mean a weakening of one of their functions.
Causes: immunodeficiencies (few antibodies — a higher risk of infection), protein loss through the kidneys or gut, some blood diseases. Low globulins are interpreted together with total protein, albumin and the clinical picture.
How the test is done
Globulins are usually calculated as the difference between total protein and albumin. For a detailed analysis of the fractions, protein electrophoresis is done — it separates the globulins into groups and detects abnormal proteins.
The value is interpreted together with total protein, albumin and markers of inflammation, for example CRP.
What affects the value
- Chronic inflammation and infection — raise globulins.
- Autoimmune disease — raises them.
- Liver disease — changes the balance of the fractions.
- Immunodeficiencies — lower them (few antibodies).
- Protein loss (kidneys, gut) — lowers them.
- Blood diseases (myeloma) — a monoclonal rise.
Frequently asked questions
What are globulins in simple terms?
They are a group of blood proteins that includes antibodies and transport and inflammatory proteins. Unlike albumin, globulins are more tied to immunity. They are usually calculated as the difference between total protein and albumin.
What do high globulins mean?
Most often activity of the immune system: chronic infection, autoimmune disease or liver disease. A sharp rise in one fraction (monoclonal) calls for ruling out blood diseases such as myeloma — for which protein electrophoresis is done.
Why is protein electrophoresis needed?
It separates the globulins into fractions (α1, α2, β, γ) and shows exactly which one has changed. This helps distinguish ordinary inflammation from an abnormal monoclonal protein and to clarify the cause of the abnormality.
Related terms
Sources
- MedlinePlus (NIH) — Total Protein and A/G Ratio
- Serum Globulins / Protein Electrophoresis — StatPearls (NCBI)
- MedlinePlus (NIH) — Protein Electrophoresis