---
title: "What does a high Total Protein mean?"
type: biomarker-interpretation
url: "https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/total-protein/high"
biomarker: Total Protein
direction: high
reference_range:
  - "age 18+: 6.30 – 8.30 g/dL"
reviewed_at: 2026-09-06
review_status: reviewed
date_published: 2026-09-05
---

# What does a high Total Protein mean?

> High total protein is usually dehydration concentrating the blood, or a genuine increase in antibodies from chronic inflammation, infection (including hepatitis and HIV), autoimmune disease or, less commonly, multiple myeloma and related conditions. A high total protein with a normal or low albumin is the pattern that prompts a protein electrophoresis.


## What is the normal range for Total Protein?

- age 18+: 6.30 – 8.30 g/dL



## What are the common causes of high Total Protein?

1. Dehydration
2. Chronic inflammation or infection: hepatitis, HIV, tuberculosis
3. Autoimmune disease
4. Multiple myeloma, MGUS, Waldenström's (high globulins with normal/low albumin)
5. Prolonged tourniquet during the draw (mild false high)

## What symptoms go with high Total Protein?

- Usually none
- Bone pain, fatigue, frequent infections, anemia in myeloma

## What do clinicians usually check next?

- Albumin and the albumin/globulin ratio
- Repeat hydrated
- Serum protein electrophoresis with immunofixation if globulins are high or the ratio is low

## How do you recheck Total Protein?

| Test or panel | Type | Price | Fasting | Results |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [General Wellness Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/general-wellness-panel) | Panel (4 tests) | $89.99 | Yes | 1–3 business days |
| [Kidney Health Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/kidney-health-panel) | Panel (4 tests) | $64.99 | Yes | 2–4 business days |
| [Gut Health Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/gut-health-panel) | Panel (5 tests) | $129.99 | No | 3–7 business days |
| [Comprehensive Metabolic Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/comprehensive-metabolic-panel) | Test | $22.99 | Yes | 1–3 business days |

Plus one $6 lab processing fee per order; physician authorization included.

## Common questions

### What is the globulin gap?

Total protein minus albumin. A gap above ~4 g/dL means a lot of antibody protein and is a common trigger for an electrophoresis to look for a monoclonal protein.

## Related

- [What does a low Total Protein mean?](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/total-protein/low)
- [Total Protein reference ranges](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/total-protein)
- [Glucose reference range](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/glucose)
- [Creatinine reference range](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/creatinine)
- [eGFR reference range](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/egfr)

## Sources

- [Mayo Clinic Labs](https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/8520)

---

Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-06. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/editorial-policy

Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/total-protein/high
Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt

Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.