Total Serum Protein

Albumin Test, Blood, Blood Protein Test, Globulin Test, Serum Protein Test

Results

A total serum protein test is a blood test that measures the total amount of protein in the blood. Results are usually available within 12 hours.

Normal

Normal values may vary from lab to lab.

Total serum protein

Total protein:	5.5–9.0 grams per deciliter (g/dL)
Albumin:	3.5–5.5 g/dL
Globulin:	2.0–3.5 g/dL
Albumin/globulin ratio:	Greater than 1.0

High values

High albumin levels may be caused by:

• Severe dehydration.

High globulin levels may be caused by:

• Diseases of the blood, such as multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemia, macroglobulinemia, or hemolytic anemia.
• An autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, autoimmune hepatitis, or sarcoidosis.
• Kidney disease.
• Liver disease.
• Tuberculosis.

Low values

Low albumin levels may be caused by:

• A poor diet (malnutrition).
• Severe burns.
• Kidney disease.
• Liver disease.
• An autoimmune disease, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis.
• Gastrointestinal malabsorption syndromes, such as sprue or Crohn's disease.
• Hodgkin's lymphoma.
• Uncontrolled diabetes.
• Hyperthyroidism.
• Heart failure.

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated January 18, 2006
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
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