Total protein

Indicator for the protein metabolism

Proteins are essential components of cells and tissues and play an important role as transport vehicles, e.g. for lipids, metals, hormones, and vitamins. Furthermore, proteins are basic elements of compounds which are involved for instance in metabolism, immune reactions and the process of blood coagulation (enzymes, antienzymes, antibodies, coagulation factors, hormones, and vitamins). Normally there are more than a hundred different proteins in the blood plasma which can be subdivided into two groups, the albumins and globulins. The albumins are carrier proteins and are also involved in the maintenance of the intravascular pressure whereas the globulins comprise very different proteins such as enzymes and antibodies.

The total protein content of the plasma is an indicator of the protein metabolism. Deviations from the normal concentration range may therefore point towards disorders of the protein synthesis which can result from a variety of disease or from malnutrition.

The reference range for total proteins in blood plasma is 66-83 g/L.

Specimen

• Students

  Student groups with an even number of female and male students at the age of 20 to 29.

  Search data

Sampling area

Sampling period

Extended information

Literature

• Labor und Diagnose - Indikation und Bewertung von Laborbefunden für die medizinische Diagnostik
  Thomas, Lothar
  Frankfurt am Main: Th-Books Verlag, 2005. 2016, 2005