Total Protein Blood Test: Normal Range & What Low Means
Also known as: Serum total protein, total protein blood test
Total protein measures the combined amount of albumin and globulin — two major protein families — circulating in your blood. A normal total protein level is roughly 6.0–8.3 g/dL; a low result can reflect liver or kidney disease, malnutrition, or malabsorption, while a high result often reflects dehydration or, less commonly, chronic inflammation or a blood protein disorder. Reference ranges vary by lab, and total protein is generally interpreted alongside its two components, albumin and globulin.
Total Protein normal range
| Category | Range (g/dL) |
|---|---|
| Normal | 6.0–8.3 g/dLReference ranges vary by lab |
| Low | < 6.0 g/dL |
| High | > 8.3 g/dL |
Reference ranges vary by laboratory. Use the range printed on your own report as the definitive comparison.
What high Total Protein can mean
- Dehydration (the most common cause)
- Chronic inflammation or infection, which raises globulins
- Certain blood protein disorders, such as multiple myeloma (less common)
What low Total Protein can mean
- Liver disease, which reduces protein production
- Kidney disease that allows protein to leak into urine
- Malnutrition or poor protein intake
- Malabsorption conditions affecting the digestive tract
- Significant blood loss or burns
What to do about an abnormal result
- Compare your value to the reference range on your own report — total protein reflects hydration status as well as underlying health.
- A low total protein is usually broken down into its albumin and globulin components to narrow down the cause.
- Ask your doctor whether liver, kidney, or nutritional causes need further evaluation.
- Don't self-diagnose from one number — total protein is interpreted by a clinician alongside albumin, globulin, and the A/G ratio.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a normal total protein range?
A normal total protein level is roughly 6.0 to 8.3 g/dL, though the exact reference range varies slightly by lab. This number combines albumin and globulin, so it's usually interpreted alongside those individual values and the albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio.
What does low total protein mean?
Low total protein can result from liver disease (reduced production), kidney disease (protein loss in urine), malnutrition, malabsorption, or significant blood loss. Because several different conditions can cause it, your doctor typically checks albumin and globulin separately, along with liver and kidney function, to find the cause.
What causes high total protein?
High total protein is most commonly caused by dehydration, which concentrates proteins in the blood. Less often, it can reflect chronic inflammation, infection, or a blood protein disorder, in which case your doctor may order protein electrophoresis for further evaluation.
Related biomarkers
See also
Medically reviewed by Antonieta Rueda, MD and Kyle R. Toth, MD · Last reviewed July 6, 2026
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or your lab results.