Total protein
What it measures, and what changes the number.
Total protein measures the combined amount of protein in the liquid part of the blood. The two main groups are albumin, made by the liver, and globulins, which include antibodies and various carrier proteins.
It is commonly included in liver and general chemistry panels and is read alongside albumin, from which the globulin fraction and the albumin/globulin ratio are worked out. When a more detailed breakdown is wanted, serum protein electrophoresis splits the globulins into alpha, beta and gamma fractions.
Hydration affects the result, since the test measures concentration. A tourniquet left on for a long time during the blood draw can raise it slightly, and posture at the time of sampling can also shift it. Labs may report it as PROTEIN, TOTAL or Proteínas totales.
Often read alongside: Albumin, Albumin/globulin ratio, Gamma globulin, ALT, ALP