Blood and lab tests
What Does Total Protein Mean on a Blood Test?
Total protein · say it: TOH-tul PRO-teenAlso written: TP, serum total protein, total serum protein
Short answer
Total protein measures all the protein in the liquid part of your blood, mainly albumin and globulins added together.
What it means
Total protein is a blood test that measures the combined amount of protein in serum, the liquid part of blood left after it clots. The two main parts are albumin, made by the liver, and globulins, which include antibodies. These proteins carry substances, fight infection and help hold fluid inside blood vessels.
Total protein appears on a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) and many liver panels. It is a broad screening number that says little on its own, so labs print albumin next to it and often a calculated globulin. When total protein is outside the range, the doctor looks at which part changed. Dehydration can raise it because the blood is more concentrated, and receiving a lot of fluid can lower it.
Total protein in blood is not the same as protein in urine, which is reported separately as urine protein or a protein-to-creatinine ratio. A urine dipstick result such as "protein +" is a different test entirely.
Where you may see it
- Comprehensive metabolic panels (CMP)
- Liver function test panels, just above albumin
- Routine yearly blood work printouts
📄 How it looks on a report
Total Protein 86 g/L H
🙅 What it does not mean
- A high total protein does not mean you eat too much protein. Diet has little effect on this number in most people.
- A low total protein is not by itself a diagnosis. It is a starting point that tells the doctor to look at albumin and globulins separately.
- This test does not look for protein leaking into urine. Kidney protein loss is checked with a urine sample.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
🧾 Reports where you will see “Total protein”
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🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Total protein” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- MedlinePlus lab test guides ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.