Albumin

What it measures

Measures the main protein made by the liver, which keeps fluid within blood vessels and carries hormones, drugs and calcium. Used to assess liver function, nutrition and kidney protein loss.

Specimen and preparation

• Specimen: Serum or lithium-heparin plasma
• Tube: Gold top

Reference range

Reference ranges differ between laboratories, methods and populations. Always use the range printed on your own lab report.

Causes of high values

• Dehydration
• Prolonged tourniquet use (artifact)

Causes of low values

• Liver cirrhosis
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Malnutrition
• Acute and chronic inflammation (negative acute-phase protein)
• Protein-losing enteropathy, burns

Method

Bromocresol green or bromocresol purple dye binding

Good to know

Low albumin lowers total calcium; use a corrected calcium or ionized calcium. Bromocresol green reads slightly higher than bromocresol purple.

Related tests