Albumin, Serum

CPT CODE:

USEFUL FOR:

Plasma or serum levels of albumin are frequently used toassess nutritional status.

SPECIMEN REQUIRED:

Draw blood in a plain, red-top tube(s) or a serum gel tube(s). Spin down and send 0.5 mL of serum either refrigerated or frozen in plastic vial.Note:    Patient's age and sex are required on request form for              processing.

TRANSPORT TEMPERATURE:

Refrig\Frozen OK\Ambient NO

CLINICAL INFORMATION:

Albumin is a carbohydrate-free protein, which constitutes 55-65% oftotal plasma protein. It maintains oncotic plasma pressure, is involvedin the transport and storage of a wide variety of ligands, and is a sourceof endogenous amino acids. Albumin binds and solubilizes variouscompounds, including bilirubin, calcium, long-chain fatty acids, toxicheavy metal ions, and numerous pharmaceuticals.
Hypoalbuminemia is caused by several factors: impaired synthesisdue either to liver disease (primary) or due to diminished protein intake(secondary); increased catabolism as a result of tissue damage andinflammation; malabsorption of amino acids; and increased renalexcretion (e.g. nephrotic syndrome).

CLINICAL INTERPRETATION:

Hyperalbuminemia is of little diagnostic significance except in the caseof dehydration. When plasma or serum albumin values fall below 2.0g/dL, edema is usually present.

REFERENCE VALUES:

0-11 months: not established

> or = 1 year: 3.5-5.0 g/dL