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Choose collection locationBiochemistry · Individual laboratory test
Protein, Total, Serum
Total serum protein adds together albumin and globulins. Changes in fluid balance or in one group of proteins can affect the total.
Price for this test on its ownAED 125Test price AED 25
Clinical authorDr Nirupama SabhapathySpecialist Clinical Pathology
- Sample
- Serum
- Laboratory turnaround
- 24 hours
- Collection
- Dubai
- Laboratory
- Intel Lab
Understanding the test
What does the Total Serum Protein test measure?
Also called Total Blood Protein
A clinician may use total serum protein to investigate swelling or an unexpected protein measurement. It is also part of some liver and metabolic assessments.
When it may be requested
Unexplained swelling
A clinician may consider protein concentration together with albumin and urine findings.
Changes in globulins
A raised total may prompt more specific blood protein measurements.
Before your sample
Prepare for collection
SpecimenSerum
Your checklist
No fasting is usually needed. Maintain your normal fluid intake within medical advice; dehydration or unusually large fluid intake can change the concentration of blood proteins.
A clinician takes a small sample of blood from a vein. The laboratory uses serum, the liquid separated from the blood after it clots.
Smart Report
Understanding your result
24 hoursLaboratory turnaround
Result guideProtein, Total, Serum
Reading your result
The albumin and globulin fractions can move in opposite directions. Fluid balance matters because this is the concentration of protein in a blood sample.
What can affect it
- Albumin and globulins can offset one another, leaving an apparently normal total.
From sample to follow-up
Your testing journey
Laboratory testProtein, Total, Serum
- Specimen
- Serum
- Turnaround
- 24 hours
Open your laboratory report
Look for Protein, Total, Serum in your report. Use the sample type and collection time when comparing it with an earlier report.
Explore Smart Report
Discuss the next step
Ask which protein fraction accounts for the total and whether a more specific protein measurement would clarify it.
Health packages
Packages that include this test
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Clinical expertise
Your laboratory team
Patient questions
Before you book
Why look at albumin and globulin separately?
An increase in one fraction can offset a fall in another. The split may reveal a change that the total alone would conceal.
What does a high total protein mean?
A high total protein most often reflects dehydration, which concentrates every protein, or a rise in globulins. Raised globulins can come from chronic infection, long-standing inflammation, autoimmune disease or, less often, a plasma-cell disorder such as myeloma. Your doctor checks albumin, globulin and their ratio to tell these apart.
My total protein is normal, so why is my doctor still investigating?
Because the total is a sum of two things that can move in opposite directions. A low albumin paired with a raised globulin can produce a perfectly ordinary total while representing a real change in the balance, which is exactly what the albumin-to-globulin ratio is there to reveal.
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A broad whole-body screen covering blood, urine and stool with kidney, liver, lipid, iron, diabetes and vitamin markers.
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Your next step
Total Serum Protein test at home.
Sources & further reading
Written by Dr Nirupama Sabhapathy, Specialist Clinical Pathology. Medically reviewed by Dr Joyce Jose, Specialist Clinical Pathology, on .
Catalogue information and AED price checked on 2 November 2026. Clinical suitability, preparation, collection arrangements and turnaround are confirmed for your selected test.