Protein, Total
CPT Code(s):
84155
Turnaround Time:
4 hours
Specimen Requirements
Preferred Specimen:
Serum
Minimum Volume:
1.0 mL
Transport Container:
Serum Separator Tube (SST) or Red Top Tube
Transport Temperature:
Room Temperature
Collection Instructions:
Allow blood to clot completely prior to centrifugation. Separate serum from cells within 45 minutes of collection.
Rejection Criteria:
Citrate, Fluoride,Sodium Heparin, or EDTA plasma specimen; gross hemolysis; lipemia; improper labeling
Stability Criteria
Room Temperature:
8 hours
Refrigerated:
3 days
Frozen:
180 days
Clinical Significance
Total Protein is a clinically significant diagnostic tool used to measure the total amount of protein in a patient's blood. It provides important information about a person's overall protein status and can help diagnose and monitor various medical conditions.
The specific clinical significance and diagnostic use of Total Protein include:
1. Assessing Nutritional Status: Total Protein is used to evaluate a patient's nutritional status. Low levels of total protein may indicate malnutrition, malabsorption, or other dietary deficiencies. It is often used in conjunction with other tests, such as albumin and prealbumin, to get a comprehensive assessment of nutritional status.
2. Detecting Liver Disease: Total Protein is an important marker for liver function. Liver diseases, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis, can cause abnormal protein synthesis, leading to decreased total protein levels. Monitoring total protein levels over time can help assess the progression of liver disease and the effectiveness of treatment.
3. Diagnosing Kidney Disorders: Kidney diseases, such as nephrotic syndrome or chronic kidney disease, can result in abnormal protein excretion through the urine. This can lead to decreased total protein levels in the blood. Total Protein is used in conjunction with other kidney functions to evaluate renal health and monitor disease progression.
4. Identifying Inflammatory Conditions: Inflammatory conditions, such as infections, autoimmune diseases, or certain cancers, can cause an increase in protein production by the liver. Elevated total protein levels may be indicative of an underlying inflammatory process. However, further investigation is typically required to identify the specific cause of inflammation.
5. Monitoring Multiple Myeloma: Multiple Myeloma is a type of cancer that affects plasma cells, which produce antibodies. Total Protein, along with other tests such as serum protein electrophoresis, can help diagnose and monitor the progression of multiple myeloma. In this condition, abnormal protein production can lead to elevated total protein levels.
6. Assessing Dehydration: In cases of severe dehydration, there can be a relative increase in the concentration of proteins in the blood, leading to elevated total protein levels. Total Protein can be used to evaluate hydration status and guide fluid management in dehydrated patients.
Total Protein is typically performed as part of a comprehensive metabolic panel or basic metabolic panel. It is a valuable tool for assessing overall protein status, liver function, kidney function, nutritional status, and various medical conditions. However, it is important to interpret the results in the context of the patient's clinical history, symptoms, and other laboratory findings to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.