Serum proteins are primarily albumin (50–60%, produced by the liver), but also include globulins and other proteins.
Serum proteins:
Maintain water balance in the blood through osmotic pressure
Transport blood components and nutritional elements
Help the immune system
Help with coagulation
Although albumin is made exclusively in the liver, globulins are produced in many sites throughout the body. Thus, whether total protein is normal, elevated, or low, a decrease in the albumin:globulin (A/G ratio) often indicates the presence of impaired liver function.
Normal Values*
Men/Women
>1
*These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing protocol to another.
