TOTAL PROTEIN
Description
- 6.0 -8.3 g/dl
Clinical significance
- Liver is a site of 90% of all proteins and 100% albumin synthesis. This test measures the amount of protein in blood. Two classes of Proteins are found in the blood, albumin and Globulin. Albumin is made by the Liver and makes up about 6 of proteins in the blood.
Functions of Plasma /Serum proteins
- Transport: Plasma proteins act as carrier molecules for the transport of lipids and lipid soluble substances such as bilirubin, steroid hormones, metals, vitamins and drugs.
- Maintenance of osmotic pressure of blood: Circulating blood volume is kept constant mainly by the colloid osmotic pressure exerted by albumin
- Tissue repair and growth: Metabolism of protein releases amino acids which can be used either for the synthesis of proteins or for the generation of energy
- Protection: Globulin fraction of plasma proteins (immunoglobulins), provide a defense mechanism against infection.
- Maintenance of blood pH: Plasma proteins act as bases at normal pH of blood and help in the pH regulations
- Enzymes and coagulation factors: Most enzymes and some coagulation factors are proteins. The estimation of these has great importance in diseases affecting the liver as well as in other conditions
- Drugs that can affect the measurement of total proteins include Chlorpromazine ,corticosteroids , isonazide , neomycin , salicylates , sulphonamides
When to get tested
- As a screening test for adults with no risk factors for heart disease
- When a person has one or more risk factors for heart disease( Cigarette smoking, Being overweight or Obese, old age , Pre existing heart disease, diabetes)
Elevated level
- Multiple myeloma
- Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemias
- Collagen-vascular disease
- Sarcoidosis
- Dehydration
- Arthritis
- Chronic infections
- Chronic liver disease, including chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis
- Tropical diseases (eg, kala-azar, leprosy, and others)
- Collagen disease (eg, lupus erythematosus (SLE), and other instances of chronic infection / inflammation)
Decreased level
- Malnutrition
- Low protein diet
- Malabsorption
- Overhydration
- Pregnancy
- Chronic disease
- Neoplasm
- Nephrosis
- Cirrhosis
- Prolonged immobilization
- Heart failure
- Protein losing enteropathies
- Crohns disease and chronic ulcerative colitis
- Hyperthyroidism
- Burns
- Severe skin disease and other chronic diseases
Profile
ALL TEST
Turn your phone into a full-featured Ayurveda clinic
Reference library, prescription studio, classical texts and everyday productivity tools — all in one app. Try Bhishak with a trial subscription; unlock the full experience once you’re in.
