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A/G ratio blood test

Albumin/globulin ratio

In short

A typical adult A/G ratio result is 1 to 2.5 ratio. A high ratio usually means globulin is on the low side. On its own it is rarely a concern if albumin and globulin are both in range. Always read your result against the range printed on your own report.

Albumin divided by globulin, the two main blood proteins.

The ratio compares albumin, made by the liver, with globulins, which include the antibodies that fight infection. Most people have somewhat more albumin than globulin, so the ratio usually sits above 1. It is calculated, so doctors read it together with the albumin and globulin results.

Is my A/G ratio high or low?

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Typical range

ForRangeUnit
Adults1–2.5ratio

Typical ranges for adults. Labs differ a little, so the range printed next to your result is the one to go by.

If your A/G ratio is high

A high ratio usually means globulin is on the low side. On its own it is rarely a concern if albumin and globulin are both in range.

Common reasons

  • Normal variation, when albumin and globulin are both in range
  • Steroid medicines or other medicines that calm the immune system
  • Less often: an inherited or acquired weakness in making antibodies
  • Less often: some blood cancers, such as some leukemias, that lower antibodies

If your A/G ratio is low

A low ratio means globulin is high compared with albumin. The albumin and globulin results show which one has moved.

Common reasons

  • Normal variation, when albumin and globulin are both in range
  • A recent or long-lasting infection or inflammation
  • Less often: an autoimmune condition (immune system attacking the body), such as lupus
  • Less often: liver disease, which lowers albumin and raises globulins
  • Less often: kidney disease that lets albumin leak into urine
  • Less often: a blood cancer that makes one abnormal protein, such as myeloma

Questions to take to your appointment

  1. 1Is it my albumin or my globulin that has changed?
  2. 2Could a recent illness or inflammation explain this?
  3. 3Is this small enough to just repeat the test?

Read together with

Doctors rarely read A/G ratio alone. These usually sit next to it.

Quick answers

What is the A/G ratio blood test?

A/G ratio (Albumin/globulin ratio): Albumin divided by globulin, the two main blood proteins. The ratio compares albumin, made by the liver, with globulins, which include the antibodies that fight infection. Most people have somewhat more albumin than globulin, so the ratio usually sits above 1. It is calculated, so doctors read it together with the albumin and globulin results.

What is a normal A/G ratio level?

For most adults, A/G ratio is typically 1 to 2.5 ratio. Labs differ a little, so the range printed next to your result is the one to go by.

What does a high A/G ratio mean?

A high ratio usually means globulin is on the low side. On its own it is rarely a concern if albumin and globulin are both in range. Common reasons include normal variation, when albumin and globulin are both in range; steroid medicines or other medicines that calm the immune system; less often: an inherited or acquired weakness in making antibodies; and less often: some blood cancers, such as some leukemias, that lower antibodies. A doctor reads it together with your other results and how you feel.

What does a low A/G ratio mean?

A low ratio means globulin is high compared with albumin. The albumin and globulin results show which one has moved. Common reasons include normal variation, when albumin and globulin are both in range; a recent or long-lasting infection or inflammation; less often: an autoimmune condition (immune system attacking the body), such as lupus; and less often: liver disease, which lowers albumin and raises globulins.

What should I ask my doctor about my A/G ratio?

Questions worth taking to the appointment: Is it my albumin or my globulin that has changed? Could a recent illness or inflammation explain this? Is this small enough to just repeat the test?

What this page can’t do

It reads each number on its own.

Doctors read results together — ALT with AST, ferritin with hemoglobin, TSH with free T4. A pattern says more than any single flag.

It doesn't know you.

Your age, your medicines, how you feel and your last result all change what a number means.

It doesn't remember.

Close this page and your results are gone. That's on purpose: nothing was ever sent to us.

We also make Vita: Health Coach, an app for those parts. It reads your whole report with your medicines and history in mind, answers follow-up questions in plain words, and keeps your reports in one place — for you and for the people you look after.

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Sources

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