Test Details
Methodology
Colorimetric
Result Turnaround Time
Within 1 day
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Use
Evaluate nutritional status; investigate edema.
In the entities which follow, the diseases listed are sometimes increased or decreased as indicated, but are not always so.
Causes of high total protein: dehydration; some cases of chronic liver disease, including chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis; neoplasms, especially myeloma; macroglobulinemia of Waldenström; tropical diseases (eg, kala-azar, leprosy, and others); granulomatous diseases, such as sarcoidosis; diseases in which total protein is sometimes high include collagen disease (eg, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and other instances of chronic infection/inflammation).
Causes of low total protein: pregnancy; intravenous fluids; cirrhosis or other liver disease, including chronic alcoholism; prolonged immobilization; heart failure; nephrotic syndromes; glomerulonephritis; neoplasia; protein losing enteropathies; Crohn's disease and chronic ulcerative colitis; starvation, malabsorption or malnutrition; hyperthyroidism; burns; severe skin disease; and other chronic diseases.
Very low total protein (<4 g/dL) and low albumin cause edema (eg, the nephrotic syndromes).
Specimen Requirements
Limitations
Clinical interpretation is greatly enhanced by examination of the fractions composing total protein, when such separation is clinically indicated (ie, serum protein electrophoresis, quantitative immunodiffusion or other methods for IgG, IgA, IgM, immunofixation, immunoelectrophoresis).
Custom Additional Information
Total protein and albumin normally decrease by 5% to 10% upon recumbency, as in hospitalization. Drug effects are summarized.1
Specimen
Serum (preferred) or plasma
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.7 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube, or green-top (lithium heparin) tube. Do not use oxalate, EDTA, or citrate plasma.
Storage Instructions
Maintain specimen at room temperature.
Causes for Rejection
Hemolysis; improper labeling
Collection Instructions
Separate serum or plasma from cells within four hours of collection.
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 14 days |
Refrigerated | 14 days |
Frozen | 14 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x3 |
Footnotes
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001073 | Protein, Total | 2885-2 | 001073 | Protein, Total | g/dL | 2885-2 |
| Order Code | 001073 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Protein, Total | |||||
| Order Loinc | 2885-2 | |||||
| Result Code | 001073 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Protein, Total | |||||
| UofM | g/dL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 2885-2 |