Total protein: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (original) (raw)
The total protein test measures the total amount of two classes of proteins found in the fluid portion of your blood. These are albumin and globulin.
Proteins are important parts of all cells and tissues.
- Albumin helps prevent fluid from leaking out of blood vessels. It also carries chemicals in your blood.
- Globulins are an important part of your immune system.
A blood sample is needed. Most of the time blood is drawn from a vein located on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.
Many medicines can interfere with blood test results.
- Your health care provider will tell you if you need to stop taking any medicines before you have this test.
- DO NOT stop or change your medicines without talking to your provider first.
This test is often done to diagnose nutritional problems, kidney disease or liver disease.
If total protein is abnormal, you will need to have more tests to look for the exact cause of the problem.
The normal range is 6.0 to 8.3 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or 60 to 83 g/L.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.
Total protein measurement may be increased during pregnancy.
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Updated by: Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.