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A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]. Atlanta (GA): A.D.A.M.; 2013.
A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia.
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.
How the test is performed
A blood sample is needed. This may be taken through a vein. The procedure is called a venipuncture.
How to prepare for the test
The health care provider will tell you if you need to stop taking any drugs that may affect the test. Drugs that can increase albumin levels include anabolic steroids, androgens, growth hormone, and insulin.
Why the test is performed
This test can help determine if a patient has liver disease or kidney disease, or if the body is not absorbing enough protein.
Albumin helps move many small molecules through the blood, including bilirubin, calcium, progesterone, and medications. It plays an important role in keeping the fluid from the blood from leaking out into the tissues.
Normal Values
The normal range is 3.4 - 5.4 grams per deciliter (g/dL).
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
The examples above show the common results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different samples.
What abnormal results mean
Lower-than-normal levels of serum albumin may be a sign of:
- Kidney diseases
Decreased blood albumin levels may occur when your body does not get or absorb enough nutrients, such as:
- After weight-loss surgery
- Low-protein diets
Increased blood albumin level may be due to:
- Dehydration
- High protein diet
- Having a tourniquet on for a long time when giving a blood sample
Other conditions under which the test may be performed:
- Burns (widespread)
What the risks are
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 light-headed
- Hematoma (blood collecting under the skin)
- Infection (rare)
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.
References
- Berk PD, Korenblat KM. Approach to the patient with jaundice or abnormal liver test results. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 149.
- Pratt DS. Liver chemistry and function tests. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2010:chap 73.
Review Date: 2/13/2013.
Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc., Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, David R. Eltz, Stephanie Slon, and Nissi Wang.
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Drugs that aim to prevent the loss of protein or albumin through urine in people with sickle cell disease
Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited disorders that often lead to kidney damage. High protein or albumin levels in urine is a strong predictor of subsequent kidney failure. It is common practice to give angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to reduce the level of protein or albumin in urine, thus protecting the kidneys from damage. However, little is known about how effective and safe these are in patients with sickle cell disease. This review included one study comparing captopril (an ACE inhibitor) to placebo. There were 22 participants in this study and the results were not convincing, with minor analysis changes leading to very different study conclusions. This study did not show that ACE inhibitors could reduce the level of protein or albumin in the urine. The level of creatinine and potassium in the blood were reported constant throughout the study. No serious adverse events were noted, although the potential for causing low blood pressure should be highlighted. More long‐term studies involving multiple centers and larger numbers of participants are warranted.
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- Liver disease
- Protein in diet
- Bilirubin - blood
- Ascites
- Burns
- Glomerulonephritis
- Hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
- Necrosis
- Malabsorption
- Crohn's disease
- Celiac disease - sprue
- Whipple’s disease
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Diabetes and Kidney Disease
- Hepatic encephalopathy
- Hepatorenal syndrome
- Membranous nephropathy
- Tropical sprue
- Wilson's disease
MedlinePlus.gov links to free, reliable, up-to-date health information from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other trusted health organizations.
- Albumin - blood (serum)Albumin - blood (serum)PubMed Health
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