Albumin / Globulin Ratio

The albumin to globulin ratio (A/G ratio) compares the amount of albumin to globulins in your blood. Albumin is made in the liver and helps keep fluid in your blood vessels and carry hormones, minerals and medicines. Globulins include antibodies and other transport and immune proteins. In everyday testing, globulin is usually calculated as total protein minus albumin, then A/G is computed as albumin divided by globulin. Because A/G merges information about liver protein production, immune activity and hydration, it is a simple way to view whole-body balance.

A/G shifts when either side of the ratio moves.

• Low A/G (< about 1.0) often means less albumin and or more globulins, which can occur with background inflammation, liver synthesis issues, or protein losses.

• High A/G (> about 2.0) is less common and can reflect lower globulins or relative haemoconcentration, for example from dehydration, which can also raise total protein during the blood draw.
  

For education and tracking, A/G works best alongside albumin, total protein and calculated globulin so you can see which side is driving the change. Watching your personal trend over time helps you connect lifestyle shifts to steady improvements rather than relying on a one-off result.

1. Build the albumin side with smart protein timing
   Aim for ~30 g of high-quality protein per meal providing ~2.8–3 g leucine. In older adults, meals below this leucine “switch” often under-stimulate protein building, while meals that meet it reliably turn on synthesis, supporting the liver’s protein output over time.

2. Turn down day-to-day inflammation signals
   An eating pattern centred on colourful plants, legumes, nuts, whole grains and olive oil, plus regular movement and sleep stability, helps reduce chronic immune activation. As globulin may reflect immune activity, calming background inflammation can lift a low A/G by easing globulin excess and supporting albumin production.

• Optimal: ~1.1–2.0

• Borderline low: 1.0–1.09

• Low: <1.0

• High:>2.0

1. MedlinePlus. Total Protein and Albumin/Globulin (A/G) Ratio Test. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2024. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/total-protein-and-albumin-globulin-a-g-ratio/

2. Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA). Total Protein. RCPA Manual, 2024. Available from: https://www.rcpa.edu.au/Manuals/RCPA-Manual/Pathology-Tests/T/Total-Protein

3. Labcorp. Protein Electrophoresis, Serum — Reference Range Information. Labcorp Test 001487. Available from: https://www.labcorp.com/tests/001487/protein-electrophoresis-serum

4. Layman DK, et al. Impacts of protein quantity and distribution on body composition. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2024. Available from: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1388986/full

5. McFarlin BK, et al. Baker’s yeast beta-glucan supplementation increases salivary IgA and decreases cold/flu symptomatic days after intense exercise. Journal of Dietary Supplements. 2013. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23927572/