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Test Code TP Total Protein

Additional Codes

Cerner

NextGen

Protein Total Serum

Protein Total Serum

Methodology

Colorimetric (reflectance spectrophotometry), Biuret

Patient Preparation

None

Collection Instructions

Standard phlebotomy practices.

Specimen Requirements

Container

Specimen Type

Tube

Lithium Heparin Plasma

PST

 or  or 

Serum

 or 

SST

 or  or 

 

Stability

Storage

Temperature

Stability

Room Temperature

18-28°C

≤ 4 hours

If separated within 4 hours

Refrigerated

2-8°C

≤ 3 days

If separated within 4 hours

Frozen

≤-18 °C

≤ 6 months

If separated within 4 hours

Rejection Criteria

Gross Hemolysis

Result Reporting and Reference Values

Reported in g/dL.

Age

Low

High

Critical Low

Critical High

0-7 day

4.4

7.6

N/A

N/A

7 d - 4 mo

4.2

7.4

N/A

N/A

4 mo – 1Y

5.6

7.2

N/A

N/A

1 – 18Y

5.7

7.7

N/A

N/A

18 – 150Y

6.3

8.2

N/A

N/A

Reflex Testing

None

Limitations

  • An average positive bias of 6% with an individual sample bias up to 10% may be observed with heparin plasma results compared to serum results.
  • Certain drugs and clinical conditions are known to alter total protein concentration in vivo. For additional information, refer to one of the published summaries.
    • Young DS. Effects of Drugs on Clinical Laboratory Tests. ed. 4. Washington D.C.: AACC Press; 1995.
    • Friedman RB, Young DS. Effects of Disease on Clinical Laboratory Tests. Washington, D.C.: AACC Press; 1990.

Useful For

Serum proteins transport drugs and metabolites and maintain plasma osmotic pressure. Most serum proteins are synthesized in the liver, with the exception of gamma globulins. One of the most important serum proteins produced in the liver is albumin. Total serum protein concentration can be used for evaluation of nutritional status.

Causes of high total serum protein concentration include dehydration, Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, multiple myeloma, hyperglobulinemia, granulomatous diseases, and some tropical diseases. Total protein concentration is occasionally increased in collagen diseases, lupus erythematosus, and other instances of chronic infection or inflammation. Causes of low total serum protein concentration include pregnancy, excessive intravenous fluid administration, cirrhosis or other liver diseases, chronic alcoholism, heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, glomerulonephritis, neoplasia, protein-losing enteropathies, malabsorption, and severe malnutrition.