MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Total protein

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Total protein

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition How the test is performed How to prepare for the test	Why the test is performed Normal Values What abnormal results mean Special considerations

Illustrations

Blood test

Alternative names Return to top

Definition Return to top

This is a test that measures the total amount of protein in serum (serum is the fluid portion of blood, without fibrinogen).

How the test is performed Return to top

Blood is drawn from a vein or a capillary. The laboratory centrifuges the blood to separate the serum from the cells. The total protein test is done on serum.

How to prepare for the test Return to top

Your health care provider may instruct you to withhold certain drugs that can affect the test.

Drugs that can increase total protein measurements include anabolic steroids, androgens, corticosteroids, dextran, growth hormone, insulin, phenazopyridine, and progesterone.

Drugs that can decrease total protein measurements include ammonium ions, estrogens, hepatotoxic drugs, and oral contraceptives.

Why the test is performed Return to top

Total protein is a rough measure of serum protein. Protein measurements can reflect nutritional state, kidney disease, liver disease, and many other conditions. If total protein is abnormal, further tests must be performed to identify which protein fraction, and then which specific protein, is abnormal.

Proteins are important constituents of all cells and tissues. Proteins are made from amino acids. There are many different kinds of proteins in the body with many different functions. Enzymes, some hormones, hemoglobin (oxygen transport), LDL (cholesterol transport), fibrinogen (blood clotting), collagen (structure of bone and cartilage), immunoglobulins (antibodies) are some examples of proteins.

Serum proteins are grossly separated into albumin and globulins. That is, total protein equals albumin plus globulin. Globulins are roughly divided into alpha-1, alpha-2, beta, and gamma globulins.

Albumin is the protein of highest concentration in the serum (plasma is serum plus fibrinogen). Albumin is a carrier of many small molecules, but is also of prime importance in maintaining the osmotic pressure of the blood (that is, keeping the fluid from leaking out into the tissues).

Normal Values Return to top

The normal range is 6.0 to 8.3 gm/dl (grams per deciliter).

Normal values may vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory.

What abnormal results mean Return to top

Greater-than-normal levels may indicate:

chronic inflammation or infection
multiple myeloma
Waldenstrom's disease

Lower-than-normal levels may indicate:

burns (extensive)
glomerulonephritis
hemorrhage
liver disease
malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract)
malnutrition
protein-losing enteropathy
agammaglobulinemia
light chain disease

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

congenital nephrotic syndrome

Special considerations Return to top

Total protein measurement may be increased during pregnancy.

Update Date: 8/18/2003

Updated by: David Webner, M.D., Sports Medicine Fellow, Crozer-Keystone Family Practice Program, Springfield, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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