Total Serum Protein Test Overview Back to top A total serum
protein test measures the total amount of protein in the blood.
It also measures the amounts of two major groups of proteins in
the blood: albumin and globulin. - Albumin is made mainly in the
liver. It helps keep the blood from leaking out of blood
vessels. Albumin also helps carry some medicines and other
substances through the blood and is important for tissue growth
and healing. - Globulin is made up of different proteins called
alpha, beta, and gamma types. Some globulins are made by the
liver, while others are made by the immune system. Certain
globulins bind with hemoglobin. Other globulins transport
metals, such as iron, in the blood and help fight infection.
Serum globulin can be separated into several subgroups by serum
protein electrophoresis. To learn more, see the topic Serum
Protein Electrophoresis. A test for total serum protein reports
separate values for total protein, albumin, and globulin. Some
types of globulin (such as alpha-1 gl