High protein in blood: What causes it?

What causes high protein in blood?

- No name / No state given

Mayo Clinic hematologist Ruben Mesa, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

An abnormally high level of protein in blood can have many causes.

Blood proteins, also called serum proteins, serve numerous functions, including helping to regulate cell function and your immune system. Normally, your blood contains relatively small amounts of many types of proteins.

Causes of elevated levels of protein in blood include:

Chronic inflammation or infection, such as HIV and hepatitis
Certain bone marrow diseases, such as multiple myeloma, amyloidosis and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)

A high-protein diet does not cause high levels of protein in blood. However, severe malnutrition can cause a decrease in total blood protein. Further testing can help determine the cause of high levels of protein in blood.