Total Protein in Serum
This test measures the total amount of protein found in your blood serum, which includes albumin and other proteins like globulins.
["Your blood protein levels help assess overall health and detect conditions like malnutrition or kidney disease."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 31650-5
- Short code
- S pneum Da 9V IgG Ser-aCnc
- Synonyms
- S pneum Da 9V IgG Ser-aCnc
- Category
- coagulation
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 82784
- 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
Your doctor may order a total protein test to check how well your liver and kidneys are working, to evaluate your nutritional status, or to help investigate symptoms such as swelling, unexplained weight loss, or ongoing fatigue.
Doctors may order a total protein test to check for signs of health problems, such as infections, kidney disease, liver issues, or certain cancers. It can also help monitor conditions like malnutrition or autoimmune disorders.
In most cases, no special preparation is needed for a total protein blood test, and you can eat and drink normally unless your doctor says otherwise. Tell your care team about any prescription medicines, vitamins, or supplements you take, since some drugs can affect your results.
No special preparation is needed for this blood test. You may have a small needle inserted into your arm to draw a blood sample. If you’re on blood thinners, let your doctor know before the test.
A health professional will clean a small area on your arm, wrap a band around your upper arm, and draw a small sample of blood into a tube. You may feel a brief sting when the needle goes in. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis, and the entire process usually takes only a few minutes.
A healthcare provider will clean the area with an antiseptic, insert a needle into a vein (usually in your arm), and collect a small amount of blood into a vial or tube. The blood is then sent to a lab for analysis.
Normal total protein levels generally fall between about 6.0 and 8.3 grams per deciliter (g/dL), although exact ranges vary slightly by laboratory. Higher-than-normal results may point to dehydration, chronic inflammation, or certain blood disorders, while lower results can suggest liver or kidney disease, malnutrition, or trouble absorbing nutrients. Your doctor will interpret your numbers alongside your symptoms and other test results.
Results are typically reported in grams per deciliter (g/dL). Low levels may suggest malnutrition, kidney disease, or liver problems, while high levels could indicate dehydration, inflammation, or certain cancers.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance
Short name
Total Protein
Frequently asked questions
Total protein levels are important for diagnosing and managing conditions like chronic kidney disease, liver disease, and malnutrition. Abnormal results may prompt further testing to identify the underlying cause.
Low total protein levels can be caused by conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, malnutrition, severe infections, or certain autoimmune disorders. Chronic diarrhea, malabsorption syndromes, or excessive protein loss (e.g., from kidney disease) may also contribute.
High total protein levels may result from dehydration, inflammation, certain cancers (like multiple myeloma), or conditions that increase protein production (e.g., severe infections). Rarely, it can be due to lab errors or certain medications.
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