Lab test glossary · Liver
Total Protein: what it means
Also known as: serum total protein
Total protein sums albumin and the antibody-rich globulins; the balance between them helps explain an abnormal result.
What it measures
Total protein measures all the protein in your blood, which is mostly albumin plus a group called globulins (which includes antibodies). Labs often report the albumin-to-globulin (A/G) ratio, because whether an abnormal total comes from the albumin side or the globulin side points in different directions.
Typical range
Often roughly 6.0–8.3 g/dL.
Reference ranges differ between labs and are printed on your own report — always read your result against that range, not a general one.
What a high result can mean
- Dehydration
- Chronic inflammation or infection
- Certain immune conditions that raise globulins
A high value is a starting point for a conversation, not a diagnosis — many causes are benign or temporary.
What a low result can mean
- Liver or kidney disease
- Poor nutrition or absorption
Why the trend matters
Total protein is most useful read alongside albumin and over time, since a stable mild deviation is different from a moving one.
When to talk to your doctor
Discuss a persistently abnormal total protein or A/G ratio with your doctor.
This page is general education about a common lab test — it isn’t medical advice and can’t interpret your specific result. What a value means depends on your history, symptoms, and the rest of your labs, which is a conversation for you and your clinician.