Source-checked
Liver
Total protein
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This is the date the draft was written, not a medical review date.
The sum of albumin and globulins in serum. The albumin:globulin difference, together with serum protein electrophoresis, helps to detect paraproteins and chronic inflammation.
Reference interval
| Conventional (g/dL) | SI (g/L) | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | 6–8.3 g/dL | 60–83 g/L |
Specimen: Serum or heparinised plasma · Conventional × 10 = SI
Causes of high values
Dehydration (relative), multiple myeloma and other paraproteinaemias, chronic infections and autoimmune disease with polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia, chronic liver disease.
Causes of low values
Hypoalbuminaemia of any cause (nephrotic syndrome, liver failure, malnutrition, protein-losing states), haemodilution, hypogammaglobulinaemia.
Pre-analytical and method notes
The biuret method is the usual reference approach. Values in recumbent patients are lower by about 0.3 to 0.5 g/dL than in ambulant ones, and prolonged tourniquet use raises values. Reference intervals vary by laboratory, method and population; use the interval printed on the report.
References
- Rifai N, Horvath AR, Wittwer CT. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. Elsevier, 6th edition (2018) — Tier 3 (textbook)
- McPherson RA, Pincus MR. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. Elsevier — Tier 3 (textbook)
- Loscalzo J, et al.. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. McGraw-Hill, 21st edition (2022) — Tier 3 (textbook)
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