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Total Serum Protein - Results
About this test
A total serum protein test is a blood test that measures the amounts of total protein, albumin, and globulin in the blood. Results are usually available within 12 hours.
Normal
The normal values listed here—called a reference range—are just a guide. These ranges vary from lab to lab, and your lab may have a different range for what’s normal. Your lab report should contain the range your lab uses. Also, your doctor will evaluate your results based on your health and other factors. This means that a value that falls outside the normal values listed here may still be normal for you or your lab.
Total protein: | 6.0–8.0 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or 60–80 grams per liter (g/L) |
|---|---|
Albumin: | 3.8–5.0 g/dL or 38–50 g/L |
Alpha-1 globulin: | 0.1–0.3 g/dL or 1–3 g/L |
Alpha-2 globulin: | 0.6–1.0 g/dL or 6–10 g/L |
Beta globulin: | 0.7–1.4 g/dL or 7–14 g/L |
Gamma globulin: | 0.7–1.6 g/dL or 7–16 g/L |
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.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: November 5, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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