Test Name: Total Protein, Serum
Specimen Type: Serum
Specimen Required: 3-5 Cc Yellow Top Gel Vial
Day Performed: Daily
Reporting Time: 8 Hours STAT Reporting Time: 120 MINUTES
Methodology: Beckman Coulter AU480
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Determination of total protein in serum helps in diagnosis and treatment of a variety of diseases involving the liver, kidney, or bone marrow, as well as other metabolic or nutritional disorders.
Higher-than-normal levels may be due to:
- Chronic inflammation or infection, including HIV and hepatitis B or C
- Multiple myeloma
- Waldenstrom disease
Lower-than-normal levels may be due to:
- Agammaglobulinemia
- Bleeding (hemorrhage)
- Burns (extensive)
- Glomerulonephritis
- Liver disease
- Malabsorption
- Malnutrition
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Protein-losing enteropathy
Total protein levels may be increased during pregnancy.
References:
- Landry DW, Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020: chap 106.
- Manary MJ, Trehan I. Protein-energy malnutrition. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020: chap 203.
- Pincus MR, Abraham NZ, Bluth M. Interpreting laboratory results. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022: chap 9.