Serum Albumin Test
A blood test that measures the level of albumin, a protein produced by the liver, to evaluate how well your liver is working and to assess your overall nutritional status.
{"Albumin is a protein made by the liver that helps maintain blood volume and transports nutrients","Low albumin levels may indicate liver disease, kidney problems, or malnutrition","High albumin levels are rare and usually indicate dehydration","The test requires a simple blood draw","Results help doctors assess overall health and organ function"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 1747-5
- Short code
- ALB
- Synonyms
- Albumin Fld-mCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST) or plain red top tube
- Units
- not specified
- Ref low
- 3.5
- Ref high
- 5
- Critical range
- 2 not specified – —
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- Bromocresol green (BCG) or bromocresol purple (BCP) colorimetric assay
- CPT
- 82040
- SNOMED
- 271571001
- Specimen volume
- 0.5-1.0 mL serum minimum
- Stability
- Room temperature: 7 days; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 30 days; Frozen (-20°C): 12 months
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 300
- Icterus max
- 20
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The Serum Albumin test measures the amount of albumin, a crucial protein produced by your liver, in your blood. Albumin makes up about 60% of the total protein in your blood and plays essential roles in maintaining fluid balance, transporting hormones, vitamins, and medications, and providing nutrients to tissues.
How is the test performed?
A healthcare professional will draw a small blood sample from a vein in your arm. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. You typically do not need to fast before this test, but follow any specific instructions provided by your doctor.
Why is this test important?
Albumin levels provide important information about your liver function, kidney health, and nutritional status. Your doctor may order this test as part of a routine health checkup or to monitor existing conditions affecting your liver or kidneys.
Reference range
No established reference rangenot specified
No special preparation required
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Low albumin levels (hypoalbuminemia) may indicate liver disease (such as cirrhosis or hepatitis), kidney disease (where albumin is lost in urine), malnutrition, inflammation, or certain digestive disorders. High albumin levels (hyperalbuminemia) are uncommon and usually signal dehydration or severe cases of diarrhea and vomiting.
This test is often performed alongside other liver function tests (like ALT, AST, bilirubin) and kidney function tests to get a complete picture of your organ health. It is also used to help determine the appropriate treatment for certain conditions and to monitor the effectiveness of treatments.
Frequently asked questions
What are normal albumin levels?
Do I need to prepare for the test?
What can cause low albumin?
Is the test painful?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 10, 2026. · Read our editorial policy