Does diet affect total or t protein levels in the body?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have a question about total protein count in blood, urine, and saliva. My question is, does someone's total protein count change significantly based on how much protein rich food they eat? Or does someone's total protein count not change unless they have an illness like muscle damage? When I say total protein count I am referring to what is calculated in a biuret test.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Protein is digested in the human body, but is sometimes excreted when not digested properly or in excess quantity. The term 'total protein count' has different meanings depending on whether it is measured in blood, urine, or saliva.

Total protein count in the blood changes with increased protein ingestion and breakdown of muscles or other proteins inside the body.

Protein in urine or any excretory product always occurs when the degradation of protein has increased, which can be possible because of a higher protein intake or increased muscle breakdown due to some pathology inside the body.

I hope that I have answered your question. Let me know if you have any other doubts.

I hope this helps.

Kindly revert if there are any queries.

Thank you.