Serum Albumin Test
A blood test that measures the amount of albumin, an important protein made by your liver, to help your doctor assess your overall health.
{"Albumin is a protein made by the liver that helps transport nutrients and maintain fluid balance","This test helps doctors assess liver function, kidney health, and nutritional status","Low albumin levels may indicate liver disease, kidney problems, or malnutrition","The test is performed on a blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 109884-7
- Short code
- ALB
- Synonyms
- Albumin Msmt Fld
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST/gold top) or plain red top tube
- Units
- not specified
- Ref low
- 3.5
- Ref high
- 5.5
- Critical range
- 2 not specified – 6 not specified
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- Bromocresol green (BCG) colorimetric assay
- CPT
- 82040
- SNOMED
- 271295004
- Specimen volume
- 2-5 mL of venous blood
- Stability
- Room temperature: 7 days; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 14 days; Frozen (-20°C): 30 days
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 300
- Icterus max
- 20
- TAT
- 1–4 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The serum albumin test measures the amount of albumin in your blood. Albumin is a crucial protein produced by your liver that plays several important roles in your body: it helps transport hormones, vitamins, and other substances; maintains proper fluid balance between blood vessels and tissues; and provides your body with necessary proteins for growth and tissue repair.
Why might I need this test?
Your doctor may order a serum albumin test as part of a comprehensive metabolic panel or liver function tests. It is commonly used to: evaluate how well your liver is functioning, check your nutritional status (especially if you have conditions like malnutrition or after surgery), monitor kidney disease or syndrome, and help diagnose certain chronic illnesses. The test is often performed during routine health checkups or when symptoms suggest liver or kidney problems.
How is the test performed?
A healthcare professional will draw a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm using a needle. The blood sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. You do not need to fast before this test, though your doctor may instruct you otherwise based on your specific situation. The procedure only takes a few minutes and is generally well-tolerated with minimal discomfort.
Understanding your results
Normal albumin levels typically range from 3.5 to 5.0 g/dL (35-50 g/L), though reference ranges may vary slightly between laboratories. Low albumin levels (hypoalbuminemia) can indicate liver disease, kidney disease (especially nephrotic syndrome), malnutrition, inflammation, or certain digestive disorders. High albumin levels (hyperalbuminemia) are less common and may indicate dehydration. Your doctor will interpret your results in context with other tests and your overall health condition.
Reference range
No established adult reference range (varies by fluid type; interpret with serum albumin and clinical context)not specified
None; body fluid specimen collected by appropriate invasive procedure
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Serum albumin is a critical marker for assessing liver function since the liver is the sole organ responsible for producing this protein. Decreased albumin levels may signal chronic liver disease such as cirrhosis or hepatitis. In kidney disease, albumin may leak into urine (proteinuria), reducing blood albumin levels. This test also serves as an important nutritional marker, as albumin levels drop during prolonged malnutrition or severe illness. Additionally, albumin measurement helps doctors monitor disease progression and treatment effectiveness, particularly in conditions affecting the liver, kidneys, or digestive system.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before the albumin test?
What can cause low albumin levels besides liver disease?
How often should albumin levels be checked?
Can lifestyle changes improve albumin levels?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3ARUP Consult - AlbuminSource
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