Avoid prolonged venous stasis during collection. The plasma protein concentration determines colloidal osmotic pressure. Protein-losing gastroenteropathies, acute burns, nephrotic syndrome, severe dietary protein deficiency, chronic liver disease, malabsorption syndrome, agammaglobulinemia. The serum total protein consists primarily of albumin and globulin. Hypoproteinemia usually means hypoalbuminemia, since albumin is the major serum protein.
Globulin is calculated as total protein minus albumin.
Pocket Guide to Diagnostic Tests.