What Causes High Protein in the Blood? Explaining Hyperproteinemia

January 9, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, high blood protein levels, known as hyperproteinemia, are not a disease in themselves but rather a sign of an underlying issue, ranging from minor conditions like dehydration to more serious health problems. This guide explains the causes and implications of elevated protein levels found in a blood test.

Quick Summary

An abnormal reading of high total protein on a blood test, called hyperproteinemia, can be caused by various medical conditions. Causes range from temporary issues like dehydration and inflammation to more serious underlying illnesses, including blood cancers like multiple myeloma and chronic diseases affecting the liver or kidneys.

Key Points

Hyperproteinemia is a finding, not a disease: Elevated blood protein is not a specific illness but rather a lab result indicating an underlying health issue that requires further investigation.
Dehydration is the most common cause: A lack of adequate fluid concentrates proteins in the blood, leading to a high reading. Proper rehydration can resolve this quickly.
Chronic inflammation can increase globulins: Persistent infections, autoimmune disorders, or chronic inflammation trigger the immune system to produce more antibodies, elevating globulin levels.
Multiple myeloma causes a specific protein increase: This blood cancer causes plasma cells to produce large amounts of a specific, abnormal antibody known as M protein, a hallmark of the disease.
Liver and kidney health are crucial: Diseases affecting the liver (where albumin is produced) and kidneys (which filter proteins) can disrupt protein balance and lead to high readings.
Diagnostic tests clarify the cause: If a high total protein result is found, further testing like serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and immunofixation helps identify which specific proteins are elevated.
Treatment targets the root cause: The approach to normalizing blood protein depends entirely on the underlying condition, which may involve hydration, medication, or cancer therapies.

Understanding the Components of Blood Protein

Before diving into the causes of high blood protein, it is helpful to know what the total protein test measures. This test typically assesses two main types of protein in your blood: albumin and globulins.

Albumin: Produced by the liver, albumin is the most abundant protein in the blood and plays a key role in transporting substances and maintaining fluid balance.
Globulins: This group includes a wide range of proteins, including immune system antibodies (immunoglobulins) and enzymes. An imbalance in either of these protein groups can lead to an elevated total protein level, and determining which type is elevated is a crucial diagnostic step.

Common and Temporary Causes

Some of the most frequent reasons for a high blood protein reading are not indicative of a severe disease and can be resolved relatively simply.

Dehydration

Dehydration is the most common cause of a high total protein level. When you don't have enough fluid in your body, your blood plasma volume decreases. The concentration of proteins and other blood components, therefore, appears higher on a test, even though the total amount of protein in your body is unchanged. Rehydrating your body will typically return protein levels to a normal range.

Chronic Inflammation and Infections

Chronic inflammation is another frequent culprit for elevated blood protein, specifically globulins. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disorders (lupus), or persistent infections (like hepatitis or HIV) can stimulate the immune system to overproduce antibodies (immunoglobulins). This sustained immune response can result in a consistently high total protein measurement.

More Serious Underlying Conditions

When elevated protein levels are not due to temporary issues like dehydration, they can be a marker for more significant health problems.

Multiple Myeloma and Blood Cancers

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies. In this condition, cancerous plasma cells multiply uncontrollably and produce excessive amounts of a single, abnormal type of antibody known as M protein. This monoclonal protein can cause a significant and sustained increase in total protein levels, often detected during routine blood work. Other similar blood cancers, such as Waldenström macroglobulinemia, also cause an overproduction of immunoglobulins.

Liver and Kidney Disease

The liver produces albumin, and the kidneys are responsible for filtering waste, including excess proteins, from the blood. Therefore, conditions affecting these organs can impact blood protein levels. For example:

Liver Disease: While severe liver disease often leads to low albumin production, certain liver conditions like chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis can increase globulin production, sometimes resulting in high total protein.
Kidney Disease: In conditions like nephrotic syndrome, the kidneys lose protein through the urine, but in other cases of chronic kidney disease, the imbalance can lead to a compensatory rise in globulins. High blood urea nitrogen (BUN), a waste product from protein breakdown, can also indicate kidney problems.

Other Rare Causes

Less common causes of hyperproteinemia include amyloidosis (an abnormal protein buildup in organs), sarcoidosis, and other connective tissue diseases. Certain medications can also affect protein metabolism and lead to altered levels.

Comparison of Causes for High Blood Protein


Feature	Dehydration	Chronic Inflammation/Infection	Multiple Myeloma	Liver/Kidney Disease
Mechanism	Concentrates existing proteins due to low plasma fluid.	Increases globulin production (antibodies) to fight pathogens.	Overproduction of a single, abnormal M protein by cancerous cells.	Disrupts protein production (liver) or alters filtration (kidneys).
Protein Type Affected	Albumin and Globulins (concentrated)	Globulins (especially immunoglobulins)	Specific monoclonal immunoglobulin (M protein)	Albumin (often low) and Globulins (often high)
Symptom Profile	Thirst, dry mouth, dark urine, fatigue.	Chronic fatigue, pain, fever, weight loss.	Bone pain, fatigue, kidney problems, frequent infections.	Swelling, fatigue, changes in urination, jaundice.
Diagnosis	Confirmed by rehydration and re-testing.	Identified through inflammatory markers (e.g., CRP), antibody tests.	Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), immunofixation, bone marrow biopsy.	Liver function tests, kidney function tests (e.g., BUN, creatinine).
Treatment	Increasing fluid intake (oral or IV).	Treating the underlying infection or autoimmune disorder.	Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplant.	Managing underlying organ condition, medication adjustments.

Conclusion

While a single blood test showing high protein is not an immediate cause for alarm, it is an important signal that warrants further investigation with a healthcare provider. The underlying causes range widely, from a simple and temporary state of dehydration to more complex and serious issues like multiple myeloma or chronic organ disease. The key to effective management is identifying the root cause through further diagnostic testing and, if necessary, addressing the underlying condition. Regular check-ups and open communication with your doctor are crucial steps in managing your health, especially when abnormal lab results appear.

Sources

American Cancer Society. (2025, March 5). What Is Multiple Myeloma?
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). High blood protein Causes. Retrieved October 22, 2025, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/high-blood-protein/basics/causes/sym-20050599
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). High Blood Protein (Hyperproteinemia). Retrieved October 22, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21025-high-blood-protein-hyperproteinemia
Chola MS. (2025, August 20). Explained: Hyperproteinemia.
Siphox Health. (2025, August 12). Could high total protein indicate dehydration or inflammation?.
Narayana Health. (2024, July 3). High Blood Protein (Hyperproteinemia) Levels, Causes ...
Johnson Memorial Hospital. (2022, November 30). High blood protein.
MedlinePlus. (2024, October 20). Total Protein and Albumin/Globulin (A/G) Ratio.
Apollo Hospitals. (2025, February 1). High blood protein - Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment.
MyMyelomaTeam. (2025, March 5). What Is M Protein in Multiple Myeloma?.
National Institutes of Health (NIH). (n.d.). Mechanism of hyperproteinemia-induced blood cell....
Patient.info. (2024, August 3). Liver Function Tests: Uses, Types and Results.

Frequently Asked Questions

High protein in the blood is medically known as hyperproteinemia. It is a condition where the concentration of protein in the blood plasma is abnormally high.

Yes, dehydration is the most common cause of high blood protein. It happens when the plasma volume decreases, making the proteins in your blood more concentrated without the actual amount of protein changing.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells that causes an overproduction of a specific, abnormal protein called M protein. This accumulation of M protein in the blood leads to a significantly elevated total protein reading.

While severe liver disease often causes low albumin levels, some chronic liver conditions, particularly those involving inflammation like chronic hepatitis, can increase globulin production, resulting in an overall high total protein level.

A total protein and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio test, often part of a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), is used to screen for high blood protein levels. If abnormal, a serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) test may be ordered for more detail.

A high-protein diet does not cause high blood protein. However, vigorous exercise can cause temporary dehydration, which may lead to a temporarily elevated reading. A high protein result is almost always indicative of a specific medical issue, not dietary habits.

If a blood test reveals high protein, the first step is to consult your doctor. They will likely evaluate your hydration status, review other symptoms, and may order follow-up tests to determine the underlying cause. Staying hydrated is always recommended.