Measuring Blood Proteins

Proteins are central to nearly every biological process, and several that circulate in the blood provide valuable clues to health and disease. This chapter examines key proteins of clinical importance, including haemoglobin for oxygen transport, albumin for fluid balance and nutrient carriage, globulins for immune defence and metabolism, and total protein as a combined measure of albumin and globulins. It also highlights C-reactive protein (CRP) as a marker of inflammation and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as an indicator of prostate health.