What the proteins in plasma do

Your blood carries oxygen and nutrients throughout your body, but did you know it also contains proteins that all have different jobs? These proteins, like albumin, immunoglobulins, and fibrinogen, float around in the liquid part of your blood called plasma, keeping you healthy.

Albumin

Albumin makes up about 60% of all plasma proteins, making it the most common protein in your blood. This protein works like a delivery truck, carrying important substances throughout your body. Albumin picks up hormones, vitamins, and medications and delivers them to the cells that need them. It also helps keep the right amount of water in your blood vessels. Without enough albumin, fluid leaks out of your blood and can cause swelling. When fluid accumulates in critical areas, it can be dangerous, causing impaired organ function, reduction of blood volume, and potentially leading to shock, which is where the body's circulatory system fails to deliver adequate blood flow and oxygen to vital organs and tissues. This, can create a cycle where the body tries to compensate by retaining more fluid, worsening the problem.

Immunoglobulins (Ig) and complement proteins

Immunoglobulins, also called antibodies, act as your body's security team. These Y-shaped proteins patrol your bloodstream looking for invaders like bacteria, viruses, and other germs. When they find a threat, immunoglobulins grab onto it and mark it for destruction. Your body makes different types of these proteins, and each type specializes in fighting specific enemies. There are IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE, and IgD antibodies. Vaccines work by teaching your body to make the right antibodies so when you are exposed to a germ, you can fight it off before you get sick. 

Complement proteins work alongside Ig to support your immune system. These proteins help antibodies destroy germs more effectively. They also send out chemical signals that call other immune cells to come help fight the infection.

Fibrinogen and clotting factors

Fibrinogen works like a repair kit for your blood vessels. When you get a cut or injury, this protein is needed. It transforms into long, sticky fibers called fibrin that weave together to clot the bleeding, acting like a natural bandage. Fibrinogen helps to give your body time to heal the damaged area. Without fibrinogen, even small cuts could become life-threatening. 

Your blood contains a whole team of clotting factors, such as fibrinogen, that work together. When you get injured, these proteins are activated in a specific order from factor I to factor X. Deficiencies in factor VIII and IX lead to hemophilia A and hemophilia B. These proteins work together to make sure your blood clots at exactly the right time and place – not too little (which causes bleeding) and not too much (which causes dangerous clots).

Transferrin

Transferrin serves as a specialized transporter for iron in your body. Iron is essential for making healthy red blood cells, but it can be dangerous if it floats around freely in your blood. Transferrin safely picks up iron from your intestines after you eat iron-rich foods and delivers it to your bone marrow, where new red blood cells are made. This protein also takes iron to your liver for storage when your body has enough.

All these plasma proteins work together like a well-trained team. While albumin delivers supplies, immunoglobulins and complement proteins fight infections, clotting factors and fibrinogen repair damage, and transferrin manages iron transport. This amazing protein crew helps keep your body running smoothly every single day, proving that some of the most important parts of your body are too small to see!