What condition is typically characterized by elevated total protein with normal albumin levels?

The condition that is typically characterized by elevated total protein levels with normal albumin levels is multiple myeloma. In this condition, there is an increase in immunoglobulins due to the proliferation of abnormal plasma cells. These immunoglobulins contribute to the total protein count but do not affect albumin levels significantly, which often remain within the normal range.

In multiple myeloma, the increase in total protein is primarily due to the presence of monoclonal proteins, also known as M-proteins or paraproteins, which are produced in large quantities by malignant plasma cells. This distinctive serum protein profile is a key feature of the disease and differentiates it from other conditions that typically present with alterations in albumin levels as well.

The other options involve conditions that would generally lead to changes in albumin levels or total protein that do not align with the typical profile seen in multiple myeloma. For instance, cirrhosis often results in decreased albumin production due to liver dysfunction, nephrosis typically leads to loss of albumin in urine resulting in low serum albumin levels, and hypoalbuminemia directly indicates lower albumin levels in the blood. Thus, multiple myeloma is the condition that uniquely presents with high total