Stool Albumin Test
A stool albumin test measures how much of a protein called albumin is present in your stool. Under normal circumstances, albumin should not be found in your stool, so having it there can be a sign that something is going on inside your digestive tract. This test helps your doctor look for bleeding or inflammation in your stomach, intestines, or other parts of your gastrointestinal system.
{"Albumin is a protein normally found in blood, not stool","Presence of albumin in stool may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding or inflammation","The test is often used to evaluate conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)","It is a simple, non-invasive test that analyzes a small stool sample","Results help doctors diagnose and monitor digestive tract conditions"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 54346-2
- Short code
- ALB STOOL
- Synonyms
- Albumin Stl-mCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- stool
- Container
- Sterile, wide-mouthed stool collection container or stool collection device
- Units
- not specified
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 20
- Critical range
- 1.5 not specified – —
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- Immunoturbidimetry or Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
- CPT
- 82155
- SNOMED
- 308166004
- Specimen volume
- Approximately 1-5 grams (about 5-10 mL) of formed stool or 10-20 mL of liquid stool
- Stability
- Room temperature: 24-48 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 5-7 days; Frozen (-20°C or below): 30 days. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The stool albumin test measures the concentration of albumin, a protein produced by the liver, in your stool sample. Under normal conditions, albumin should not be present in significant amounts in feces. When albumin is detected in stool, it typically suggests that there is bleeding or significant inflammation somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract.
Why might I need this test?
Your doctor may order a stool albumin test if you have symptoms such as persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, or signs of gastrointestinal bleeding (such as dark or bloody stools). The test helps doctors investigate conditions affecting your digestive tract, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), infections, ulcers, or tumors.
How is the test performed?
The test requires a small sample of your stool. You will be given a special collection container to collect a sample at home. It is important to follow your doctor's instructions carefully regarding sample collection, storage, and transportation to the laboratory. No special preparation, such as fasting, is typically required, but you should inform your doctor about any medications or supplements you are taking.
What do the results mean?
Normal results typically show little to no albumin in the stool. The presence of albumin in stool is considered abnormal and may indicate: gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammatory conditions (such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), infections, ulcers, polyps, or in rare cases, tumors. Your doctor will interpret your results in combination with your symptoms and other test findings to make an accurate diagnosis.
Reference range
Not established (typically undetectable or <0.1-0.2 mg/g)not specified
Random fresh stool specimen preferred; refrigerate and assay promptly to avoid bacterial degradation of albumin
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
The stool albumin test is primarily used to detect occult (hidden) gastrointestinal bleeding and to assess the severity of inflammation in the digestive tract. Elevated albumin levels may indicate conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastrointestinal infections, peptic ulcers, or colorectal cancer. The test is often used alongside other stool tests (such as fecal occult blood test) and endoscopic examinations to provide a comprehensive evaluation of gastrointestinal health. It can also be useful for monitoring disease activity in patients with known IBD.
Frequently asked questions
Is the stool albumin test painful?
How long does it take to get results?
Do I need to fast before the test?
Can I take my regular medications before the test?
What happens if my results are abnormal?
Sources
- 1
- 2
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 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy