Albumin/globulin ratio
What it measures, and what changes the number.
The albumin/globulin ratio compares the amount of albumin in serum with the combined amount of all other proteins, the globulins. It is usually calculated rather than measured: globulin is taken as total protein minus albumin, and albumin is then divided by that figure.
It appears with total protein and albumin in liver and general chemistry panels, and with serum protein electrophoresis, where the individual globulin fractions help show which part of the protein mix accounts for the ratio.
Because it is derived from two other results, anything that affects albumin or total protein affects the ratio, including the albumin method used (dye binding methods can read differently from each other) and prolonged tourniquet time during the draw. Labs may print it as Cociente Albúmina/Globulinas.
Often read alongside: Albumin, Total protein, Gamma globulin, Alpha-1 globulin, Alpha-2 globulin