Why would you want to measure the total amount of protein in your blood? A total serum protein test can check liver and kidney function, help doctors determine the causes of swelling in the abdomen or ankles, and test for rare blood diseases.
Your blood contains two major types of protein: albumin and globulin. Albumin is made in the liver and helps keep the blood from leaking out of blood vessels. It also helps carry medicines and other substances through the blood. Globulin is made in the liver and in the immune system, and has many different functions. Some globulin proteins transport metals through the circulatory system; others help fight infection.
This is not a fasting blood test; you don’t need to do anything special to prepare for a total serum protein test. The test itself is a quick and easy blood draw from a vein in your arm. Results are usually available within twelve hours. Certain medicines, infections, and chronic illnesses can interfere with test results. Total serum protein test results may also be inaccurate if you have been on prolonged bed rest or are pregnant.
Total protein levels should be between 5.5 and 9 grams per deciliter. Albumin levels should be between 3.5 and 5.5 g/dL. Globulin levels should be between 2.0 and 3.5 g/dL.
High albumin levels may be caused by severe dehydration. Low albumin levels may be caused by a number of things, including: malnutrition, kidney or liver disease, an autoimmune disease, gastrointestinal malabsorption syndromes like Crohn’s disease, uncontrolled diabetes, and hyperthyroidism.
High globulin levels may be caused by a number of things, including: blood diseases like leukemia, an autoimmune disease, kidney or liver disease, or tuberculosis.
If you have abnormal globulin or albumin levels, you may need further testing. Serum protein electrophoresis is another test that measures different protein groups in the blood. Urine tests can also measure protein levels.