How to get rid of excess protein in blood by addressing the cause

December 4, 2025 •

3 min read

The normal range for total protein in the blood is 6.0 to 8.3 g/dL. When these levels are elevated, a condition known as hyperproteinemia, it's a finding that indicates an underlying issue, meaning that knowing how to get rid of excess protein in blood requires identifying and treating the root cause.

Quick Summary

Excess blood protein is a symptom of an underlying condition like dehydration, inflammation, or disease. Effective management focuses on diagnosis and treatment of the root cause using medical and lifestyle interventions.

Key Points

Identify the Root Cause: High blood protein is a symptom, not a disease, and effective treatment depends entirely on addressing the underlying condition, whether it's dehydration, inflammation, or cancer.
Stay Hydrated: For cases related to dehydration, the simplest and most effective solution is to increase fluid intake, which can normalize protein concentration in the blood.
Adjust Your Diet: While a high-protein diet is not typically the cause, managing intake, especially for those with liver or kidney disease, and focusing on balanced nutrition is key. Dietary changes should be guided by a doctor.
Consider Medical Treatments: For serious causes like blood cancers or severe organ dysfunction, medical treatments such as chemotherapy, medication, or procedures like plasma exchange or dialysis are necessary.
Monitor and Seek Help: Regular blood tests are important for monitoring, and seeking immediate medical attention is vital if you experience persistent symptoms like fatigue, swelling, or unexplained weight loss.
Manage Lifestyle Factors: Reducing alcohol consumption, exercising regularly, and managing stress can all support overall health and help in the management of excess blood protein levels.

Understanding Excess Protein in the Blood (Hyperproteinemia)

Excess protein in the bloodstream, clinically termed hyperproteinemia, is a blood test result, not a standalone disease. This elevated level serves as a diagnostic clue pointing toward another health problem, which could be minor or serious. The proteins measured in a total protein test are primarily albumin and globulins. An imbalance can be caused by two main factors: either an increase in protein concentration or an overproduction of certain proteins.

Common Causes of Hyperproteinemia

Elevated blood protein levels can stem from several conditions. These include dehydration, where reduced fluid concentrates blood proteins, and chronic inflammation or infections like HIV, which increase antibody production. Blood cancers such as multiple myeloma cause the body to produce abnormal proteins. Liver diseases like cirrhosis and kidney diseases can also disrupt protein balance. Amyloidosis, a rare condition involving protein buildup in organs, is another potential cause.

Diagnosing and Addressing the Root Cause

A healthcare professional will diagnose the underlying cause of excess protein through various tests. These typically involve a Total Protein Test to measure overall levels and Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP) to analyze different protein types. A 24-hour urine test may also check for kidney protein leakage. Additional tests for liver, kidney, or autoimmune function may be ordered as needed.

Medical and Lifestyle Management

Managing hyperproteinemia focuses on treating the underlying cause, not just removing the protein.

Lifestyle and Dietary Adjustments

Simple cases like dehydration benefit from increased fluid intake. A balanced diet is important, though individuals with kidney or liver disease may need a doctor-approved low-protein diet. Reducing sodium and processed foods supports kidney health. Limiting alcohol protects liver function, while regular exercise and stress management help overall health.

Medical Treatments and Procedures

More severe causes require specific medical treatments. Medications can range from anti-inflammatories to chemotherapy for cancers. Dialysis is used for kidney failure, and therapeutic plasma exchange can temporarily remove abnormal proteins in severe cases.

When to Seek Professional Help

Consult a doctor after a high protein reading, as delaying treatment for the cause can be dangerous. See a doctor for persistent symptoms like fatigue, swelling, unexplained weight loss, changes in urination, or nausea.

Comparison of Hyperproteinemia Causes and Management


Cause	Mechanism of Elevation	Primary Management	Supporting Interventions	When to Call a Doctor
Dehydration	Blood plasma volume is reduced, concentrating proteins.	Increase fluid intake.	Monitor fluid intake, observe for normalization of levels.	If levels don't normalize with hydration, or other symptoms appear.
Inflammation / Infection	Increased antibody production (a type of globulin protein).	Medications to treat the infection or inflammation.	Adequate rest, stress management.	If symptoms persist or worsen.
Multiple Myeloma	Overproduction of abnormal M-proteins by cancerous plasma cells.	Chemotherapy, radiation, stem cell transplantation.	Therapeutic plasma exchange for symptom relief.	At diagnosis and throughout treatment.
Kidney / Liver Disease	Impaired organ function affects protein metabolism and balance.	Treatment for the specific organ disease.	Medically supervised dietary changes, such as a low-protein diet.	At diagnosis and for ongoing monitoring.

Conclusion

Elevated blood protein levels indicate an underlying health issue. Addressing the root cause, whether dehydration, inflammation, or serious disease, is key to management. Treatment involves lifestyle changes and specific medical interventions. Always seek professional medical advice for diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan. For more information, refer to {Link: Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21025-high-blood-protein-hyperproteinemia}.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, if the high protein levels are caused by dehydration, increasing your fluid intake can help concentrate the blood less, thereby lowering the measured protein levels back to a normal range.

For most healthy people, a high-protein diet does not cause hyperproteinemia. However, excessive protein intake can put extra strain on the kidneys and liver, especially if there is pre-existing damage, and may necessitate dietary changes under medical supervision.

Hyperproteinemia is an elevated concentration of total protein in the blood, while proteinuria is the presence of excess protein in the urine. While both can be signs of kidney issues, they are distinct conditions.

Early stages may have no symptoms. Later symptoms, often related to the underlying cause, can include fatigue, weakness, nausea, unexplained weight loss, swelling (edema), or specific issues like bone pain in cases of multiple myeloma.

Treatment varies based on the cause. For infections, antibiotics may be used. For inflammation, steroids or immunosuppressants. For blood cancers like multiple myeloma, chemotherapy or plasma exchange may be necessary.

Yes, lifestyle changes are a key part of management, especially for milder cases. This includes staying hydrated, maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, limiting alcohol, and managing stress to support overall health.

You should see a doctor anytime a blood test indicates high protein levels. It is especially important to seek medical advice if you experience persistent symptoms such as swelling, unexplained weight loss, or changes in your urination.