Albumin/Globulin Ratio
Understand your Albumin/Globulin Ratio to assess liver function and protein balance. Discover insights for better health monitoring.
What is Albumin/Globulin Ratio?
The Albumin/Globulin ratio (A/G ratio) compares the amount of albumin to globulins in your blood. Albumin is produced by the liver and maintains fluid balance, while globulins include antibodies and other proteins made by the immune system and liver. This ratio helps evaluate the balance between liver synthetic function and immune system activity.
Why is it Tested?
The A/G ratio is calculated automatically when total protein and albumin are measured, providing additional insight into protein metabolism and disease patterns. It’s useful for detecting liver disease, immune system disorders, and chronic inflammatory conditions. Changes in this ratio can sometimes reveal problems before individual protein levels become obviously abnormal.
Normal Ranges
Reference ranges for adults:
- Normal: 1.1–2.5
Most healthy adults have ratios between 1.2-2.0, with values around 1.5-1.8 being typical.
Reference ranges vary by authority. Track yours across multiple standards with automatic unit conversions in LabsVault.
What do Abnormal Results Mean?
Abnormal results are not a diagnosis. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.
Low A/G Ratio
A decreased ratio suggests relatively more globulins than albumin and may indicate:
- Chronic liver disease with reduced albumin production
- Autoimmune disorders with increased antibody production
- Chronic infections or inflammatory conditions
- Multiple myeloma or other protein disorders
- Nephrotic syndrome
High A/G Ratio
An elevated ratio indicates relatively more albumin than globulins and may suggest:
- Immunodeficiency disorders
- Leukemia affecting globulin-producing cells
- Genetic disorders affecting globulin production
- Certain medications suppressing immune function
How to Track Over Time
Monitoring A/G ratio trends helps evaluate the balance between liver function and immune activity. Gradual decreases may indicate developing liver disease or chronic inflammation, while sudden changes warrant further investigation. The ratio often provides insight into disease progression when individual protein levels appear normal.
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