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Albumin - blood (serum) test
Albumin is a protein made by the liver. A serum albumin test measures the amount of this protein in the clear liquid portion of the blood.
Albumin can also be measured in the urine .
Urine
This test looks for a protein called albumin in a urine sample. Albumin can also be measured using a blood test or another urine test called the prot...
How the Test is Performed
A blood sample is needed.
Blood sample
Venipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.
How to Prepare for the Test
The health care provider may tell you to temporarily stop taking certain medicines that can affect the test. Drugs that can increase albumin levels include:
- Anabolic steroids
- Androgens
-
Growth hormone
Growth hormone
The growth hormone test measures the amount of growth hormone in the blood. The pituitary gland makes growth hormone, which causes a child to grow. ...
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Do not stop taking any of your medicines without talking to your provider first.
How the Test will Feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging.
Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.
Why the Test is Performed
Albumin helps move many small molecules through the blood, including bilirubin , calcium, progesterone, and medicines. It plays an important role in keeping the fluid from the blood from leaking out into the tissues.
Bilirubin
The bilirubin blood test measures the level of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, a fluid made by the liver. Bi...
This test can help determine if a patient has liver disease or kidney disease, or if the body is not absorbing enough protein .
Liver disease
The term "liver disease" applies to many conditions that stop the liver from working or prevent it from functioning well. Abdominal pain, yellowing ...
Protein
Proteins are the building blocks of life. Every cell in the human body contains protein. The basic structure of protein is a chain of amino acids. ...
Normal Results
The normal range is 3.4 to 5.4 g/dL.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
A lower-than-normal level of blood albumin may be a sign of:
- Kidney diseases
-
Liver disease (for example,
hepatitis
, or
cirrhosis
that may cause
ascites
)
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleCirrhosis
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleAscites
Ascites is the build-up of fluid in the space between the lining of the abdomen and abdominal organs.
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Decreased blood albumin may occur when your body does not get or absorb enough nutrients, such as with:
- After weight-loss surgery
-
Crohn disease
Crohn disease
Crohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...
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-
Celiac disease
Celiac disease
Celiac disease is a condition caused by damage to the lining of the small intestine. This damage comes from a reaction to eating gluten. This is a ...
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Whipple disease
Whipple disease
Whipple disease is a rare condition that prevents the small intestines from allowing nutrients to pass into the rest of the body. This is called mal...
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Increased blood albumin may be due to:
- Dehydration
- High protein diet
- Having a tourniquet on for a long time when giving a blood sample
Other conditions for which the test may be performed:
- Burns (widespread)
-
Wilson disease
Wilson disease
Wilson disease is an inherited disorder in which there is too much copper in the body's tissues. The excess copper damages the liver and nervous sys...
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If you are receiving large amounts of intravenous fluids, the result of this test may be inaccurate.
Albumin will be decreased during pregnancy.
Risks
There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:
- Bleeding from where the needle was inserted
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Hematoma (blood collecting under the skin)
- Infection (rare)
References
McPherson RA. Specific proteins. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods . 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 19.
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Blood test - illustration
Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.
Blood test
illustration
-
Blood test - illustration
Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.
Blood test
illustration
-
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Review Date: 2/8/2015
Reviewed By: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
