Biochemistry

Preferred Sample Type

Total Protein (serum)

Suitable Specimen Types

Serum

Total Protein (serum)

Specimen Volume

1 mL

Sample Preparation

Centrifuge

Turnaround Time

24 hours

Sample Processing In Laboratory

Usual

Sample Stability

Stable for 1 month at 2°C to 8°C. 6 months at -15°C to -25°C.

General Information

Total protein measurements are used in a variety of clinical situations. It may be used in combination with albumin measurements to identify a range of disorders. In the clinical states which follow, the diseases listed are total protein may be increased or decreased as indicated, but not in all patients presenting with the disorders. 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, 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 disease and chronic ulcerative colitis; starvation, malabsorption or malnutrition; hyperthyroidism; burns; severe skin disease; and other chronic diseases. Very low total protein (<40 g/L) and low albumin cause oedema (eg, the nephrotic syndromes).

 

Patient Preparation

None

Notes

No Interference from haemolysis, lipaemia or high bilirubin concentration.

Reference Range

Adult male/female reference range: 60-80 g/L

(Pathology Harmony)

Specifications

  • EQA Status:

    NEQAS

  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Link to Further Information

http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/tp/tab/glance

Tags

bone Bone Tests

Creation Date

Monday, 08 August 2011

Modification Date

Wednesday, 02 October 2019

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Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962