About Total Protein
Total protein measures the combined concentration of albumin and globulins in the blood, providing a broad overview of nutritional status, liver function, and immune activity. Low total protein indicates malnutrition, liver disease (reduced synthesis), kidney disease (protein loss), or malabsorption. An elevated total protein — driven by high globulins — can signal chronic inflammation, chronic infection, or a plasma cell disorder like multiple myeloma. The albumin-to-globulin ratio provides additional diagnostic clarity.