Total Serum Protein

Albumin Test, Blood, Blood Protein Test, Globulin Test, Serum Protein Test

Why It Is Done

Albumin is tested to:

• Check how well the liver and kidney are working.
• Find out if your diet contains enough protein.
• Help determine the cause of swelling of the ankles (edema) or abdomen (ascites) or of fluid collection in the lungs that may cause shortness of breath (pulmonary edema).

Globulin is tested to:

• Determine your chances of developing an infection.
• See if you have a rare blood disease, such as multiple myeloma or macroglobulinemia.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: January 2, 2008
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.