A globulin total blood test measures the total amount of globulin protein in your blood.
Here's a breakdown:
Understanding Blood Proteins
Your blood contains various proteins, and the two main types are:
- Globulins: A diverse group of proteins that play crucial roles in the immune system and transporting substances throughout the body.
- Albumin: A protein primarily responsible for maintaining fluid balance and carrying certain substances in the blood.
This test doesn't measure the individual globulins, but the overall total.
What This Test Does According to the Reference
As highlighted in the provided reference:
This blood test measures the total amount of protein in your blood. The two main types of blood proteins are globulins and albumin. If protein levels are low, it can mean that you have liver or kidney disease.
How It Helps
- By measuring total protein, including globulin, a health professional can identify if protein levels are generally low.
- Low protein levels may point towards potential issues, such as:
- Liver Disease: The liver produces many blood proteins, and if it isn't functioning properly, these levels may fall.
- Kidney Disease: The kidneys help retain proteins in the body. When they are damaged, proteins can be lost in the urine, lowering overall protein levels in the blood.
Key Points
- A globulin total blood test doesn’t give specific information about individual globulin types, but rather the total amount.
- This test is often part of a broader metabolic panel to get a more complete picture of overall health.
- Abnormal results may prompt further testing.
