|
Albumin |
| Definition: |
| A test that measures the amount of albumin in serum. |
| How the test is performed: |
| Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture) or capillary. The laboratory centrifuges the blood to separate the cells from the serum. The albumin test is done on the serum. |
| How to prepare for the test: |
| The health care provider will advise you, if necessary, to discontinue drugs that may affect the test. Drugs that can increase albumin measurements include anabolic steroids, androgens, growth hormone, and insulin. |
| Why the test is performed: |
| This test helps in determining if a patient has liver disease or kidney disease, or if not enough protein is being absorbed by the body. Albumin is the protein of the highest concentration in plasma. Albumin transports many small molecules in the blood (for example, bilirubin, calcium, progesterone, and drugs). It is also of prime importance in maintaining the oncotic pressure of the blood (that is, keeping the fluid from leaking out into the tissues). This is because, unlike small molecules such as sodium and chloride, the concentration of albumin in the blood is much greater than it is in the extracellular fluid. Because albumin is synthesized by the liver, decreased serum albumin may result from liver disease. It can also result from kidney disease, which allows albumin to escape into the urine. Decreased albumin may also be explained by malnutrition or a low protein diet. |
| Normal Values: |
|
The normal range is 3.4 to 5.4 gm/dl. Normal values may vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory. |
| What abnormal results mean: |
Lower-than-normal levels of albumin may indicate:
|
| Special considerations: |
| If you are receiving large amounts of intravenous fluids, the results of this test may be inaccurate. Albumin will be decreased during pregnancy. |
Reviewed By: Donna R. Cooper, M.D., M.P.H., Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
 |
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). |
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
