Test Name: Albumin, Serum
Specimen Type: Serum
Specimen Required: 3-5 Cc Yellow Top Gel Vial
Day Performed: Daily
Reporting Time: 8 Hours STAT Reporting Time: 120 MINUTES
Methodology: Beckman Coulter AU480
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Lower-than-normal level of serum albumin may be a sign of:
- Kidney diseases
- Liver disease (for example, hepatitis or cirrhosis that may cause ascites [fluid buildup in the abdomen])
Decreased blood albumin may occur when your body does not get or absorb enough nutrients, such as with:
- After weight-loss surgery
- Celiac disease (damage of the lining of the small intestine due to eating gluten)
- Crohn disease (inflammation of the digestive tract) • Low-protein diets
- Whipple disease (condition that prevents the small intestine from allowing nutrients to pass into the rest of the body)
- During pregnancy.
Increased blood albumin may be due to:
- Dehydration
- High protein diet
- Having a tourniquet on for a long time when obtaining a blood sample
- Drinking too much water (water intoxication) may also cause abnormal albumin results.The results of this test may be inaccurate, If the patient is receiving large amounts of intravenous fluids.
References:
- McPherson RA. Specific proteins. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022: chap 20.