What can a globulin test tell you?
Globulin testing provides insights into your immune health, liver function, and nutritional balance. It can help identify or monitor:
Autoimmune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis)
Chronic infections (tuberculosis, hepatitis)
Liver disease (cirrhosis or hepatitis)
Certain cancers (multiple myeloma, lymphoma)
Protein-losing conditions (nephrotic syndrome, celiac disease)
Abnormal results often lead to serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) to identify specific globulin types, such as alpha, beta, or gamma globulins.
What is being tested?
Globulins make up the second largest group of proteins in the blood, produced mainly by the liver and immune system. They include:
Alpha globulins: Transport lipids and hormones
Beta globulins: Include transferrin and complement proteins
Gamma globulins: Mostly antibodies that defend against infection
The albumin-to-globulin (A/G) ratio is often calculated alongside globulin levels to assess the balance between these two major protein groups and can be used to evaluate for liver, kidney, or immune disorders.
Where is the globulin test typically included?
The globulin test is typically included in the following panels:
Comprehensive metabolic panel, which takes a broad look at overall metabolic and organ health
Liver function test, used to assess liver damage or dysfunction
Total protein test, which assesses overall protein levels to evaluate for nutrition and liver health
Globulin interpretation is usually paired with the A/G ratio to identify potential imbalances between liver-synthesized and immune-synthesized proteins.
Globulin testing is included as part of lab testing through Hers, which helps you understand what’s really going on in your body and either address or get ahead of problem areas with a tailored action plan.
Who should get a globulin test?
Globulin is assessed as part of a total protein test, liver function test (LFT), and comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP). A globulin test may be ordered if you have symptoms suggesting liver disease, chronic infection, or immune dysfunction, such as:
It’s also commonly performed when total protein or albumin results are abnormal.
