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Expected Turnaround Time
Within 1 day
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Related Documents
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Serum (preferred) or plasma
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.7 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube, or green-top (lithium heparin) tube. Do not use oxalate, EDTA, or citrate plasma.
Collection
Separate serum or plasma from cells within 45 minutes of collection.
Storage Instructions
Maintain specimen at room temperature.
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 14 days |
Refrigerated | 14 days |
Frozen | 14 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x3 |
Causes for Rejection
Fluoride plasma specimen; gross hemolysis; lipemia; improper labeling
Test Details
Use
This test is used for evaluation of nutritional status and blood oncotic pressure, and evaluation of renal disease with proteinuria and other chronic diseases.
High albumin may indicate dehydration. Look for increase in hemoglobin, hematocrit in such patients.
Low albumin is found with use of I.V. fluids, rapid hydration, overhydration; cirrhosis, other liver disease, including chronic alcoholism; in pregnancy and with oral contraceptive use; many chronic diseases including the nephrotic syndromes, neoplasia, protein-losing enteropathies (including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), peptic ulcer, thyroid disease, burns, severe skin disease, prolonged immobilization, heart failure, chronic inflammatory diseases such as the collagen diseases and other chronic catabolic states.
Starvation, malabsorption, or malnutrition: In the absence of I.V. fluid therapy and in patients without liver or renal disease, low albumin may be regarded as an indication of inadequate body protein reserves. It is described as the most common nutrition-related abnormality in patients with infection.1 Serum albumin has a half-life of about 18 to 20 days. Its half-life is decreased in patients with catabolic states: infection and with protein loss through the kidneys (eg, nephrosis), gastrointestinal tract, and skin (eg, burns). Its prognostic application is most useful in patients with weight loss, anorexia, stress, surgical therapy, hemorrhage, and infection. Total iron binding capacity <240 μg/dL1 and/or low transferrin levels would support an impression of inadequate protein reserves. Absolute lymphocyte counts <1500/mm3 may also be seen with protein malnutrition.2 In severe malnutrition, albumin has been reported as <2.5 g/dL, total lymphocytes as <800/mm3 and TIBC as <150 μg/dL.2
Albumin levels ≤2.0−2.5 g/dL may be the cause of edema (eg, nephrotic syndrome, protein-losing enteropathies).
Albumin, prealbumin, and transferrin are regarded as “negative” acute phase reactants (ie, these proteins decrease with acute inflammatory/infectious processes).
Low albumin values are associated with longer hospital stay.1
Methodology
Colorimetric
Reference Interval
See table.
Age | Male (g/dL) | Female (g/dL) |
|---|---|---|
0 to 7 d | 3.6–4.9 | 3.6–4.9 |
8 to 30 d | 3.5–4.6 | 3.5–4.6 |
1 to 6 m | 3.7–4.8 | 3.7–4.8 |
7 m to 2 y | 4.0–5.0 | 4.0–5.0 |
3 to 5 y | 4.1–5.0 | 4.1–5.0 |
6 to 12 y | 4.2–5.0 | 4.2–5.0 |
13 to 30 y | 4.3–5.2 | 4.0–5.0 |
31 to 50 y | 4.1–5.1 | 3.9–4.9 |
51 to 60 y | 3.8–4.9 | 3.8–4.9 |
61 to 70 y | 3.9–4.9 | 3.9–4.9 |
71 to 80 y | 3.8–4.8 | 3.8–4.8 |
81 to 89 y | 3.7–4.7 | 3.7–4.7 |
>89 y | 3.6–4.6 | 3.6–4.6 |
Additional Information
Twenty-four hour urine collection to measure protein loss is helpful in work-up of some patients with hypoalbuminemia. Other tests useful in assessment of nutritional status include TIBC, transferrin, iron, absolute lymphocyte count, and vitamin B12/folate levels.
Footnotes
1. Anderson CF, Wochos DN. The utility of serum albumin values in the nutritional assessment of hospitalized patients. Mayo Clin Proc. 1982 Mar; 57(3):181-184. 6801397
2. Shapiro M, Rhodes JB, Beyer PL. Malnutrition. Recognition and correction by enteral nutrition. J Kans Med Soc. 1983 Jun; 84(6):341-345, 356. 6409975
References
Tonks DB. A study of the accuracy and precision of clinical chemistry determinations in 170 Canadian laboratories. Clin Chem. 1963 Apr; 9:217-233. 13985504
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001081 | Albumin | 1751-7 | 001081 | Albumin | g/dL | 1751-7 |
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