Blood
Albumin/Globulin Ratio (A/G)
About Albumin/Globulin Ratio (A/G)
A total protein and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio test measures the total amount of protein in your blood. Proteins have many important functions, including giving your body energy, rebuilding muscles, and helping your immune system. Your body might make too much or too little protein if you have certain health conditions.
There are two major types of protein in the blood: albumin and globulin. Albumin makes up most of the protein in the blood, while the rest are called globulins.
The test also compares the amount of albumin in your blood to the amount of globulin. This comparison is called the albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio.
This test can check how well your liver and kidneys are working and if you are lacking some nutrients needed for good health. If your total protein levels or A/G ratio results are not normal, it can be a sign of a serious health problem.
Main source: MedlinePlus ↗
Useful for
Often included as part of a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), a test that measures proteins and other substances in your blood.
Help diagnose kidney disease, liver disease, or nutritional problems.
Follow the response to treatment for liver or kidney conditions, since changes in your albumin level can be one of the clearest signs that therapy is working.
Main source: MedlinePlus ↗
Interpretation
Your results will show whether you have normal, low, or high total protein levels. They will also show if you have a normal, low, or high albumin to globulin (A/G) ratio.
If your total protein levels were low, it may be a sign of one of the following conditions: liver disease; kidney disease; malnutrition (a condition in which your body does not get the calories, vitamins, and/or minerals needed for good health); or a malabsorption syndrome (a type of disorder in which your small intestine can't absorb enough nutrients from food, including celiac disease and Crohn's disease).
If your total protein levels were high, it may be a sign of one of the following conditions: an infection such as HIV or viral hepatitis; or multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.
If your A/G ratio was low, it may be caused by an autoimmune disease such as lupus, liver disease (including cirrhosis), or kidney disease.
If your A/G ratio was high, it may be caused by certain types of genetic disorders or leukemia (cancer of the blood cells).
For general wellness information only. Talk to a clinician about your specific results.
Main source: MedlinePlus ↗
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Sources
Last updated 2026-05-02
This page presents source-specific reference data and sourced explanations. For general wellness information only. This is not medical advice. For diagnosis or treatment of any condition, talk to a qualified clinician.