Description of the blood Analysis: 

Total protein is a measurement of the combined amount of albumin and globulins in the liquid portion of your blood. Proteins are the fundamental building blocks of all cells and tissues; they are essential for body growth, immune defense, and maintaining the fluid balance between blood vessels and tissues. Most of these proteins are produced in the liver, while globulins (including antibodies) are also produced by the immune system.

What Does the Analysis Represent?

• Goal: To assess the overall nutritional status and the health of the liver and kidneys.
• Main Application: Screening for liver disease, kidney disorders, malnutrition, or conditions that cause an overproduction of antibodies (like certain blood cancers).
• Biological Process: It reflects the body’s ability to synthesize proteins (liver function) versus the rate of protein loss (through the kidneys or intestines) or consumption (during chronic inflammation).

Recommendations for the Test (General)

• Fasting: Recommended. Fasting for 8–12 hours ensures that the sample is not affected by recent dietary protein or fats.
• Posture: Prolonged standing before the test can slightly increase protein levels. It is best to be seated and relaxed.
• Hydration: Avoid severe dehydration, as it can artificially concentrate protein levels in the blood.
• Material: Venous blood (serum).

What Can Affect the Results?

• Hydration Status: Dehydration causes a relative increase in protein concentration (the blood is “thicker”), while overhydration or IV fluids can dilute it.
• Pregnancy: Total protein levels usually decrease during pregnancy due to increased blood volume.
• Medications: Certain drugs, like corticosteroids, anabolic steroids, and birth control pills, can alter protein levels.
• Chronic Inflammation: Long-term infections or autoimmune diseases often increase the globulin fraction, raising the total protein.

When to Take the Test?

• Physical Signs: Unexplained swelling (edema) in the legs or abdomen, persistent fatigue, or unintended weight loss.
• Digestive Symptoms: Symptoms of malabsorption or chronic diarrhea.
• Screening: Part of a routine health check-up or a Liver Function Panel.
• Monitoring: For patients with known chronic kidney disease (CKD) or liver cirrhosis.

How to Interpret the Results?

Important: Total protein levels must be interpreted by a physician as they reflect the sum of albumin and globulin in the blood. High Total Protein: Often seen with chronic inflammation, infections, or bone marrow disorders. Low Total Protein: Can indicate issues with liver production, kidney loss, or severe malnutrition where the body isn’t getting enough building blocks.

Possible Further Investigations

• Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP): A detailed test that separates the proteins into different “bands” to look for specific abnormalities like monoclonal spikes (cancer markers).
• Albumin and Globulin Breakdown: To see which specific protein fraction is causing the imbalance.
• Urinalysis (Microalbumin): To check if the kidneys are “leaking” protein into the urine.
• Liver Enzymes (ALT, AST): To evaluate the liver’s synthetic capacity.

When Does the Next Step Make Sense? 

The next step is necessary if the total protein is significantly outside the reference range. Because this test is broad, an abnormal result acts as a “red flag” that requires more specific testing—such as electrophoresis—to determine if the issue is a simple nutritional deficiency or a more serious underlying condition.

👉 If necessary, you can discuss the results of the analysis with a specialist, such as a Gastroenterologist (Doctors – TAMC), Hematologist (Doctors – TAMC).