What to know about the protein test and results
The total protein test is a simple, routine urine or blood test. It looks for normal or abnormal protein levels in the body.
Having too many or too few proteins can lead to unexpected weight loss, fatigue, or inflammatory disease. The total protein test can help diagnose liver and kidney diseases, along with other conditions.
What is the total protein test?
As you can read in Gesan Instruction for Use,
Changes in serum total protein concentration are generally caused by a change in the volume of plasma water or changes in the concentration of one or more of the specific proteins in the plasma. Total proteins measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of liver and kidney diseases as well as metabolic and nutritional disorders.
Proteins are essential for overall health, which is why routine health checkups often include a total protein test. A total protein test measures the total number of proteins present in body fluid. The test examines protein in either urine or the liquid portion of the blood, which medial professionals call the serum.
Blood test
A serum total protein test measures the amount of albumin and globulin present in the serum portion of the blood: albumin protein accounts for half of the total protein found in blood plasma. It regulates oncotic pressure in the plasma to prevent water from leaking out of the blood vessels.
Globulin proteins vary in size, weight, and function. They are grouped by how they migrate on electrophoresis and include α1, α2, β and γ fractions. They include carrier proteins, enzymes, complement, and immunoglobulins (also called antibodies).
Normal protein levels in urine and blood
Laboratories may use slightly different total protein ranges, depending on the testing method and equipment they use.
According to Gesan total protein test, the normal range for protein levels in blood serum is 6.6 to 8.3 grams per deciliter (g/dl). These ranges may vary between different laboratories.
High or low serum or urine protein levels do not always signal a chronic medical condition. Everyday factors that can affect a person’s protein levels include intense exercise, diet, stress, pregnancy etc.
When do I need a total protein test?
A doctor may recommend a total protein test if a person experiences loss of appetite, but also during a routine health checkup or to help diagnose a variety of diseases that affect protein levels, for example gastrointestinal (GI) tract, liver, or kidneys pathologies.
What do high and low protein levels mean?
Consistently high serum total protein levels can indicate inflammation cancers, dehydration, chronic kidney and liver disease.
On the contrary, low serum total protein levels may suggest malnutrition, celiac disease, nephrotic syndrome or congestive heart failure.
Summary
Proteins play essential roles in supporting vital bodily functions, such as digestion, blood clotting, and energy production.
For this reason, a total protein test can detect normal or abnormal protein levels and it can help diagnose medical conditions, such as kidney and liver diseases.