Protein in the blood of pregnant women: norm and deviations

What is protein in the blood: functions and tasks

Proteins are organic compounds consisting of many amino acids. Its main tasks are:

• influence on blood coagulability and rheological properties;
• maintaining the correct blood volume in the blood vessels;
• pH stabilization;
• transport of nutrients to internal organs and systems.

In addition, the protein supports human immunity and is responsible for the body’s nonspecific defense in case of tissue damage. They are also responsible for the synthesis of many hormones, normalization of metabolism, etc. These include peptides, collagen and keratin, which are responsible for tissue regeneration processes, nail and hair growth. Therefore, the content of this substance is very important; changes in it indicate the development of internal pathologies.

What does a lack of protein lead to?

Insufficient protein intake can disrupt very important physiological processes. These include: weakening of the activity of the endocrine glands, decreased basal metabolism, and organ atrophy. In this case, sensitivity to infectious diseases may increase. Lack of protein leads to severe toxicosis, anemia, preeclampsia, hypertension and vomiting. It is much better to have too much protein than not enough.

The WHO Joint Expert Group has repeatedly discussed the problem of protein intake during pregnancy. It turns out that consuming an additional 6 grams of protein per day can cover the increased protein requirement during pregnancy. For one adult per day, 1 g of a vital product per 1 kg of body weight is enough. A pregnant woman should receive a minimum of 1.5 g / 1 kg. At the same time, for the normal development of mammary glands and blood mass, the female body needs an additional 500 g of protein. To achieve this, it is especially important to increase your protein intake between 14 and 16 weeks.

Protein levels in blood plasma before pregnancy

Normally, in a healthy person, protein levels depend on age:

• patients under 60 years old – 65-85 g/l;
• after 60 years – 63-83 g/l.

Deviation towards decrease or increase indicates health problems.

It is worth noting that during pregnancy this indicator is slightly lower than the established norm, this is especially obvious in the last trimester

Protein during pregnancy: table by week

The level of protein in a woman’s body varies depending on the duration of pregnancy; the average values ​​are presented in the table.

It is worth noting that in the third trimester of pregnancy, protein can drop to 55-65 g/l. This result is associated with an increase in a woman’s blood volume during pregnancy and a simultaneous decrease in red blood cells. The final result is also influenced by the procedure for collecting biomaterial: if before this the patient was at rest, and then suddenly stood up, then the level of protein in the blood increases sharply.

When to donate blood for protein during pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman donates blood several times for biochemical analysis. As part of the study, the concentration of total protein in the blood is also determined. For this purpose, biological material is collected:

• when a woman applies to a housing complex to register;
• in the period 24 - 28 weeks;
• in the period 32 - 36 weeks.

This schedule is designed for expectant mothers whose pregnancy is developing satisfactorily. If certain abnormalities are detected in a woman’s condition, blood will need to be tested more often. Here are the deviations we are talking about:

• formations of benign or malignant etiology;
• any type of liver and kidney dysfunction;
• acute and indolent infections;
• systemic pathologies.

When is a repeat test ordered?

There are times when doctors prescribe an additional blood test. This is done to exclude the following pathologies:

• liver and kidneys;
• the presence of malignant tumors;
• systemic diseases;
• acute or chronic infectious processes in the body.

Also, a repeat analysis is prescribed to confirm the previous analysis result (in case of excess or decrease in protein).

What does elevated protein in the blood mean?

The main reason for the increase in protein in the blood during pregnancy is considered to be the effect of external and internal negative factors, as well as poor heredity. An increase in the rate is often found in women who abuse smoking. Internal pathologies include kidney and heart diseases.

The main symptoms of high protein are:

• severe fatigue;
• blurred vision;
• loss of appetite;
• disturbances in the functioning of the urinary system.

High protein in the blood affects the state of its viscosity and thickness. Untimely treatment leads to the development of hypoxia in the fetus. Due to the high viscosity of the blood, insufficient nutrients and oxygen reach the fetus, which leads to developmental delays or death.

The attending physician interprets the analysis results; timely diagnosis and treatment reduce the risk of complications.

Normal level of total protein in blood

According to accepted standards and directives of the WHO (World Health Organization), the following indicators (grams per liter) are considered the norm for total protein in the blood:

• newborns – from 45 to 70;
• children under 3 years old – from 51 to 73;
• children under 15 years old - from 60 to 81;
• from 15 years and older – from 65 to 85;
• over 65 years old - from 62 to 81.

Indicators are conditional. Much more important for diagnosis are the indicators of individual proteins, as well as their derivative elements.

Normal values ​​during pregnancy

Low total protein in the blood during pregnancy can provoke the development of many pathologies in the unborn child and therefore requires medication to increase it. It is protein that acts as a “building component”; organs, tissues, neurons, blood, and so on are formed from it.

Accordingly, its deficiency will lead to the fact that the fetus will not be able to fully form. This is especially important in the second and third trimester, when the child’s body is actively gaining weight.

Blood protein levels decrease significantly during pregnancy. This is a normal phenomenon, and indicates that a significant part of it is transported through the placenta to the body of the unborn child.

If for an adult the norm is about 65–85 grams of protein per liter of blood, then during pregnancy this figure drops to 55–65 grams per liter . Accordingly, a decrease in blood protein levels below 55 is considered a deviation from the norm.

Why is it rejected?

Protein deficiency during pregnancy is quite common. The reasons leading to a decrease in protein in the blood are:

• frequent stress and nervous strain. In this case, an increased consumption of proteins and carbohydrates occurs in the body; it is the reserves of the former that are difficult to restore;
• liver pathologies, in which the synthesis of protein compounds deteriorates;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• thermal burns, which entail the breakdown of proteins in the body;
• poor nutrition, due to which the body receives insufficient amounts of protein;
• poisoning;
• pathologies of the kidneys and thyroid gland;
• severe blood loss.

Often a deficiency occurs after surgery or injury.
Very often, hypoproteinemia is observed in women with severe toxicosis. During multiple pregnancy, the load on the body increases several times, and the cost of proteins and other nutrients also increases. Therefore, women expecting twins or triplets often experience low protein. The main symptoms of low protein are:

• severe swelling (associated with low osmotic pressure in the bloodstream);
• increased blood pressure due to decreased blood volume and narrowing of blood vessels;
• headache;
• night cramps;
• weak weight gain.

If one of these signs is detected, it is recommended to make an emergency visit to the doctor and, if necessary, donate blood for analysis.

Signs of high protein

Sometimes during pregnancy the concentration of proteins in the blood increases. Hyperproteinemia is the name given to this pathological phenomenon. Extremes are always bad. A high level, like a low one, is a serious deviation; such indicators should not be ignored. A high protein concentration often indicates abnormalities such as:

• Acute fluid deficiency in the body. This happens due to vomiting, diarrhea, nephritis or problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
• Various infectious lesions, they can be both chronic and acute;
• Reactive arthritis, lupus (related to autoimmune diseases);
• Manifestations of nephropathy worsen, in which the patient suffers from high blood pressure and edema. In the absence of therapeutic measures, severe complications such as seizures and even cerebral edema are possible;
• In malignant processes, it is also possible to increase the level of harmful proteins in the blood.

Protein is necessary for the body of the expectant mother. It acts as a building element and normalizes internal processes. It is imperative to eat food that is enriched with proteins. And don’t forget to regularly take blood tests to monitor protein concentration.

Risks to the fetus when protein deviates from the norm

A decrease or increase in the indicator entails serious consequences for the fetus:

• intrauterine development disorder;
• fetoplacentral insufficiency;
• hypoxia;
• lack of nutrients;
• intrauterine death.

How to raise protein in the blood during pregnancy

Hypoproteinemia is considered a rather dangerous condition for a woman and her unborn child. Therefore, when low levels of protein in the blood are detected, doctors select an appropriate treatment regimen. Even a slight deviation of protein from the norm in the absence of unpleasant symptoms entails the development of serious complications.

Pills

First of all, it is necessary to establish the reason that caused the decrease in this indicator. In case of serious pathologies, a woman requires a hospital stay with the appointment of individual drug treatment.

Most often, pregnant women are prescribed iron-containing drugs and amino acid complexes. The dosage and course of treatment are selected by the doctor individually. You need to be very careful with photic acid preparations, B vitamins, and complexes with zinc and copper. These medications contribute to a sharp increase in protein in the blood, which can harm the health of the woman and her unborn child.

ethnoscience

Many women prefer traditional methods of increasing protein in the blood. Experts consider such methods unsafe and do not recommend self-medication. Common prescriptions for treating hypoproteinemia are:

• infusion of corn grains. To prepare, you will need 5 tablespoons of dry raw materials and 500 ml of water. Bring to a boil and let steep for 30 minutes. After straining, consume 2-3 times a day for a week;
• infusion of medicinal plants. To do this you will need St. John's wort, blackberry leaves, chamomile and nettle. They are mixed in equal proportions, take 2 tablespoons from the resulting mixture, pour a glass of boiling water and leave. Drink 100 ml 2-3 times a day;
• a mixture of cranberries, walnuts and honey.

Nutrition rules

A properly selected diet plays a very important role in the treatment of hypoproteinemia.
To create a diet, you need to contact a nutritionist who will select foods that increase protein levels. First of all, you need to give up fatty foods, smoked foods, carbonated drinks and fried foods. You need to carefully monitor your drinking regime and drink at least 1500 ml of liquid per day (including drinks and soups). It must be remembered that excessive fluid intake leads to severe blood thinning, and accordingly to an even greater decrease in protein levels. It is necessary to stop drinking alcohol and smoking, which is already mandatory for pregnant women.

The daily intake of protein compounds into the body of a pregnant woman is 70 grams. You need to diversify your diet as much as possible.

Proteins from food are not always fully absorbed by the body. Therefore, the calculation of calorie content of dishes is carried out exclusively by a specialist.

Foods that increase blood protein levels:

• fermented milk products (yogurt, low-fat milk and cheese);
• beans (in the absence of a tendency to increased gas formation);
• seafood;
• seaweed;
• fish;
• meat (beef, veal, poultry);
• eggs;
• fresh vegetables, fruits and berries.

The largest amount of protein is found in animal products.
The volume of portions must be increased gradually, otherwise the pregnant woman’s body will react negatively to a large volume of proteins, thereby causing severe poisoning. In the presence of concomitant pathologies that entail a decrease in protein, the diet is compiled based on the nature of the current disease. During treatment, it is necessary to periodically take blood tests to monitor changes in the indicator over time. If therapy is ineffective, the woman’s regimen is changed.

Protein in the blood of pregnant women: norm and deviations

During pregnancy
, a woman's body undergoes significant changes. Naturally, such a delicate study as a biochemical blood test cannot respond to this. This procedure involves the determination of minute quantities of special “indicator” substances in the blood plasma. Since the level of these compounds strongly depends on the functioning of many internal organs, the values ​​of a biochemical blood test can be used to largely judge the condition of the entire organism as a whole.

During pregnancy

the expectant mother’s body is rebuilt in order to ensure the normal course of pregnancy and childbirth. Because of this, some key indicators of a pregnant woman's biochemical blood test are so different from those of an ordinary person that this can be perceived as a sign of pathology. In this situation, real pathological changes become practically indistinguishable, which an inexperienced specialist can confuse with normal fluctuations during pregnancy.

Therefore, the doctor must clearly understand the causes and range of changes in the biochemical blood test

so as not to sound the alarm in vain on the one hand and not to miss the onset of the disease on the other.

Since pregnancy and its nature change over time, so do the woman’s research indicators.

may vary slightly. Usually they indicate the norms characteristic on average for each trimester:

The first feature that catches your eye when considering a normal biochemical analysis of a pregnant woman

, is a gradual decrease in the amount of total blood protein (hypoproteinemia) - by about 15% before birth relative to pre-pregnancy levels. Blood plasma proteins perform many important functions, for example, albumins - transport and the role of depot of amino acids, some globulins are produced by the immune system and protect the body from infectious agents.

During pregnancy

There is a gradual decrease in the albumin fraction with a slight increase in globulins, as indicated by such an indicator as the “albumin/globulin” ratio - normally it is 1.3-1.32, and during pregnancy it decreases to values ​​of 0.85-0.84. Therefore, it is more correct to call such changes in the biochemical analysis of a pregnant woman’s blood “hypoalbuminemia.” The reason for this is simple - during the development of the fetus, a huge amount of amino acids is required, the need for which is not fully covered by nutrition, which is why internal reserves are activated.

Since albumins

are transport for a large number of water-insoluble substances (including some medications), then the prescription of any medication for a pregnant woman should take this factor into account. Due to a decrease in the amount of plasma proteins, a pregnant woman experiences so-called oncotic edema - proteins retain water inside the vessels, so when their level decreases, fluid from the vascular bed penetrates into the tissues.

How quickly can you raise protein during pregnancy?

You can increase the level of protein in the blood during pregnancy with the help of special protein powders.
They are added to cereals, drinks or other dishes. They have a high percentage of protein absorption and help restore the balance of protein compounds in a short period of time. It must be remembered that the choice of any protein powder must be made after prior consultation with your doctor. A balanced diet is the key to quickly increasing proteins. By including more fish, seafood, meat and offal in your diet, you can bring the indicator back to normal in a short time. It is recommended to eat in small portions, regularly having a snack of nuts, dried fruits or other light foods with a high protein content. It is very important to regularly introduce new ingredients into your diet; this will make it easier to tolerate a protein diet.

Protein plays a very important role in the human body. A deficiency or excess of this component during pregnancy leads to the development of severe consequences. It is very important to establish the exact reason that led to the jump in protein in the blood. With timely diagnosis and well-chosen treatment, doctors guarantee a positive outcome. Proper dietary nutrition plays a very important role in protein stabilization.

Symptoms of hypoproteinemia during pregnancy

Reduced protein in the blood is characterized by the following somatic symptoms:

• excessive accumulation of fluid in the extracellular spaces of tissues (edema), associated with an unstable level of colloid osmotic pressure regulated by proteins;
• increased blood pressure (blood pressure), accompanied by cephalgic syndrome (headache);
• dysania (sleep disorder);
• impaired skin regeneration due to the slow formation of new cells due to protein deficiency;
• CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome);
• brittle hair and nails due to lack of nutrients supplied by proteins.

Clinical signs are:

• insufficient weight gain (normally, in the second and third trimester, a woman gains from 300 to 500 grams per week);
• hyperhemoglobinemia (high hemoglobin in a general blood test);
• increased levels of ALT and AST enzymes (during biochemical blood tests);
• intrauterine growth retardation (according to ultrasound results).

Preeclampsia is one of the reasons for a decrease in total protein in the blood during pregnancy

A decrease in total protein below a critical level threatens the development of severe forms of gestosis (eclampsia, preeclampsia), requiring hospital monitoring of the pregnant woman.