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Protein, Total and Albumin
Test Code38462
CPT Codes
82040, 84155<br>Limited Access Code
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum collected in a serum separator tube (SST)
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Plasma collected in a plasma separator tube (PST)
Instructions
Centrifuge serum specimens within 1 hour of collection, transfer serum to a sterile, plastic, screw-capped vial(s), and ship at room temperature.
Specimens with gross hemolysis are not acceptable.
Specimens with gross hemolysis are not acceptable.
Transport Container
Plastic screw-cap vial
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
See individual tests
Methodology
Spectrophotometric
Setup Schedule
Set up: Daily; Report available: Next day
Reference Range
See Laboratory Report
Clinical Significance
The major proteins seen in the serum are albumin and globulin, the latter being primarily alpha-1 and alpha-2 globulin, beta-globulin, and gamma-globulin. Albumin accounts for more than 50% of the total serum proteins. The albumin to globulin (A/G) ratio has been used as an index of disease state; however, it is not a specific marker for disease because it does not indicate which specific proteins are altered. The normal A/G ratio is 1.0-2.1. The A/G ratio can be decreased in response to a low albumin or to elevated globulins. Total globulins may be increased in some chronic inflammatory diseases (TB, Syphilis), multiple myeloma, collagen disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Decreased levels are seen in hepatic dysfunction, renal disease, and various neoplasms.