The Total Protein test is a common blood test that measures the total amount of protein in your bloodstream. Most blood proteins fall into two main groups: albumin and globulins.

Albumin (made mainly by the liver) helps keep fluid from leaking out of blood vessels (supports fluid balance), and it also carries hormones, vitamins, and medications through the blood. Globulins include several types of proteins—such as antibodies—that support your immune system and help fight infection. The Total Protein result reflects the combined amount of albumin and globulins, so it provides a broad snapshot of overall health, nutrition, and organ function.

In plain language, this test helps answer: “Do I have an unusual amount of blood proteins?” Results are typically interpreted as low, normal, or high for the lab’s reference range:

Low total protein may suggest your body is not making enough protein, losing protein, or not absorbing nutrients well. This can be seen with poor nutrition, certain liver function problems (reduced protein production), kidney health issues (protein loss in urine), or intestinal conditions that limit absorption.

High total protein often reflects increased globulins, which can happen with dehydration (blood becomes more concentrated) or with increased antibody production from inflammation, chronic infection, or some blood/immune disorders. Because “total protein” is a combined number, doctors often interpret it alongside related tests such as albumin, calculated globulin, the albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio, and sometimes serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) to better understand the cause.

Doctors commonly order the total protein test as part of a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) or as a stand-alone test during a routine health assessment. It can be used to screen for or monitor conditions affecting the liver, kidneys, immune system, and nutritional status.

Your clinician may recommend a total protein blood test if you have symptoms or findings that raise concern for protein imbalance or related organ problems, such as:

Possible low protein symptoms:

• Swelling in the legs, ankles, abdomen, or around the eyes (edema)
• Unexplained weight loss, poor appetite, or signs of malnutrition
• Chronic diarrhea or symptoms of poor nutrient absorption
• Fatigue or weakness when paired with other abnormal labs

Possible high protein or inflammation-related symptoms:

• Persistent or recurrent infections
• Long-lasting inflammation (for example, unexplained joint pain or fevers)
• Unexplained abnormal blood tests, such as a high globulin level or low A/G ratio

It is also commonly ordered when there is concern about:

• Liver disease (the liver makes many blood proteins)
• Kidney disease (kidneys may leak protein into the urine)
• Dehydration or fluid balance issues
• Autoimmune disease or chronic inflammation (higher globulin/antibody production)
• Monitoring known conditions over time as part of ongoing diagnosis and care

• Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure)
• Kidney disease (chronic kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome)
• Malnutrition or protein-calorie deficiency
• Malabsorption disorders (celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease)
• Chronic infections and inflammatory conditions
• Autoimmune disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus)
• Plasma cell disorders (monoclonal gammopathy/MGUS, multiple myeloma)
• Dehydration (can cause a falsely high concentration of blood proteins)

• General wellness screening and routine health assessment
• Monitoring liver function and overall liver health
• Supporting kidney health monitoring (especially when paired with urine protein testing)
• Assessing nutrition status and identifying possible protein deficiency
• Evaluating immune system activity and inflammation (when globulins are elevated)
• Follow-up testing after abnormal albumin, globulin, or A/G ratio results
• Tracking chronic conditions over time as part of ongoing diagnosis and treatment planning