Protein Total, serum level

Short Name: PROT
Sample required: Serum
Result Time: 1 Days

There are two classes of proteins, albumin and globulin, found in the blood. Albumin is a carrier of many small molecules, but its main purpose is to keep fluid from leaking out of blood vessels through osmotic pressure. Globulin proteins include enzymes, antibodies, and more than 500 other proteins. INCREASED total protein levels may be due to chronic inflammation or infection, including HIV and hepatitis B or C, multiple myeloma, waldenstroms disease. DECREASED levels may be due to agammaglobulinemia, bleeding (hemorrhage), burns (extensive), glomerulonephritis, liver disease, conditions that cause malabsorption (such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease), malnutrition, nephrotic syndrome, protein-losing enteropathy. See Protein Electrophoresis, Serum