Differential Diagnosis for Elevated Protein
Elevated protein levels can be an indicator of various underlying conditions. The following differential diagnosis is organized into categories to help guide the diagnostic process.
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Dehydration: This is often the most common cause of elevated protein levels, as dehydration concentrates the blood and increases protein levels.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Nephrotic Syndrome: Characterized by significant proteinuria, nephrotic syndrome can lead to elevated protein levels in the blood due to the loss of albumin and other proteins in the urine.
- Multiple Myeloma: A type of blood cancer, multiple myeloma can cause an overproduction of a specific type of protein, leading to elevated protein levels.
- Chronic Inflammatory Conditions: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and chronic infections can cause chronic inflammation, leading to elevated protein levels.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Amyloidosis: A rare condition characterized by the deposition of abnormal proteins in various tissues, amyloidosis can cause elevated protein levels and has significant clinical implications if missed.
- Paraproteinemia: A condition characterized by the presence of abnormal proteins in the blood, paraproteinemia can be a sign of underlying lymphoproliferative disorders.
- Hematologic Malignancies: Other hematologic malignancies, such as lymphoma and leukemia, can also cause elevated protein levels and require prompt diagnosis and treatment.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia: A rare type of blood cancer, Waldenström's macroglobulinemia can cause elevated protein levels due to the production of large amounts of a specific type of protein.
- Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS): A condition characterized by the presence of abnormal proteins in the blood, MGUS can be a precursor to multiple myeloma and other hematologic malignancies.
- Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy: A rare genetic disorder, familial amyloid polyneuropathy can cause elevated protein levels and significant clinical symptoms if left untreated.