Total Protein (Serum)
This test measures the total amount of protein in your blood serum. Proteins are essential for many bodily functions, including transporting nutrients, maintaining fluid balance, and supporting immune responses.
["Your blood protein levels help assess overall health and detect potential issues like malnutrition or kidney problems."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 41822-8
- Short code
- Deprecated Tib-L XR port
- Synonyms
- Deprecated Tib-L XR port
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- xr
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why It’s Done
Doctors may order a total protein test to check for conditions such as malnutrition, kidney disease, liver problems, or certain immune disorders. It can also help monitor treatments for these conditions or identify signs of dehydration or inflammation.
What to Expect
A small blood sample is drawn from your arm, usually at a lab or clinic. You may feel a slight pinch, but it’s quick and typically painless. No special preparation is needed unless instructed otherwise.
Normal vs. Abnormal Results
While reference ranges vary by lab, lower than expected protein levels might suggest malnutrition, kidney issues, or excessive fluid loss. Higher levels could indicate conditions like multiple myeloma or liver disease. Your doctor will interpret results in the context of your overall health.
Common Conditions Affecting Results
Protein levels can be influenced by diet, kidney function, liver health, and certain medications. Chronic illnesses like diabetes or heart disease may also play a role in altering protein concentrations.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
A lower-than-expected total protein level may signal malnutrition, chronic kidney disease, or excessive protein loss in urine (proteinuria). Higher-than-expected levels could indicate conditions like multiple myeloma (a blood cancer), liver disease, or severe dehydration. Your doctor will work with these findings to guide further testing or treatment.
Short name
Total Protein
Frequently asked questions
Why might my total protein test be done before surgery?
What if my protein levels are low?
Does diet affect my protein test results?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy