A patient seated in the chair before a blood draw
In person

Total Protein

The combined protein in your blood, measured from one draw.

Loading price
  • 2,000+ lab locations. Find one near you
  • Nothing due at the lab. FSA / HSA accepted
  • Ordered by a licensed clinician

At a glance

Collection
Blood draw
A standard blood draw at the lab.
Preparation
None
Nothing to do ahead of time. Water is fine.
Results
1 to 2 days
Typical turnaround after your visit.
Where
2,000+ lab locations
Nationwide, with nothing due at the lab.

About this test

Total protein measures all the protein in the liquid part of your blood, mainly albumin, made by the liver, and globulins, many of which are immune proteins. It gives a broad read on nutrition, liver, kidney, and immune health. It is usually read with albumin and other results. No fasting is needed.

For adults 18 and older. Test availability varies by lab location.

Who should take this test?

This test is for adults whose healthcare provider wants to follow total protein, often with liver or kidney questions, swelling, recovery from illness, or a past result.

Ask about this test

Not sure this is the right test?

AI-generated. For information only, not medical advice. Call 911 for an emergency.

What does this test measure?

Your result shows the combined level of proteins in your blood, which can help a healthcare provider look at liver, kidney, nutrition, and immune questions with other results.

Total protein
Total protein measures the two main groups of protein in your blood: albumin and globulins. These proteins carry substances through the body, help keep fluid inside blood vessels, and support the immune system. The total can shift with liver or kidney function, hydration, and inflammation.
Why it’s measured: A broad look at blood proteins made by the liver and immune system.

How it works

  1. Step 1

    Order online

    Check out here. A licensed clinician in your state reviews your order and sends it to the lab.

  2. Step 2

    Visit a lab

    Bring a photo ID to any of 2,000+ lab locations. No fasting needed, and nothing is due at the lab.

  3. Step 3

    Get your results

    Results post to your account, usually in 1 to 2 days, each number next to the lab’s reference range.

Find a lab near you

Choose from 2,000+ lab locations nationwide. Your order works at any of them.

What your results tell you

Total protein is reported in grams per deciliter (g/dL) and compared with the lab’s reference range, which is shown on your report.

  • Your number next to the lab’s reference range
  • Explained in plain language
  • A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test.
  • A lab report you can download and share

Total protein is broad, so a healthcare provider reads it with albumin and other results before deciding whether more testing would help.

Clinical-grade testing, from the comfort of home.

From the lab to your report, every step of our process meets the gold standard in medical testing.

  • CLIA-certified labs

    Every lab we partner with is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, meeting both state and federal standards with regular independent inspections.

  • We protect your health data

    We protect your health data with encryption and do not sell it. Some results must be reported to public health authorities by law. See our Privacy Notice.

  • Rigorous quality assurance

    All partner labs run regular internal quality checks, participate in proficiency testing, and comply with federal and state lab regulations.

  • Clinician-reviewed reports

    Results are reviewed by an independent, licensed clinician.

Questions

Common questions.

Anything else, our care team answers by phone, text, or email.

It adds together albumin, which the liver makes and which helps hold fluid in your blood vessels, and globulins, a group that includes antibodies and other carrier proteins. A test that also measures albumin lets a healthcare provider see how the total splits between the two.

Total protein can be lower with poor nutrition, liver disease, or protein lost through the kidneys or gut. It can be higher with inflammation and some immune system conditions. Dehydration can also make it read higher.

Total protein does not show which proteins are high or low, or why. A result within the range can still hide a shift between albumin and globulins. That is why it is often paired with albumin, and why a healthcare provider may suggest other tests if a question remains.

Lab tests are informational and don’t diagnose conditions on their own. Available to adults 18 and older; test availability varies by lab location. A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test. All testing is performed at CLIA-certified laboratories. Not for emergencies: if you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911.