Serum Albumin (Electrophoresis)
This test measures the level of albumin, a key protein in your blood that helps maintain fluid balance and supports the immune system.
["Albumin levels help doctors assess your body’s protein status and overall health."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 102872-9
- Short code
- Dog Serum Alb IgE RAST
- Synonyms
- Dog Serum Alb IgE RAST
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 10
- Ref high
- 40
- Critical range
- — – 500 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- rast
- CPT
- 84484
- SNOMED
- 302774002
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why Albumin Matters in Your Health
Albumin is vital for transporting nutrients, maintaining blood pressure, and supporting the immune system. Low levels may signal conditions like malnutrition, kidney disease, or liver problems, while high levels could indicate dehydration or certain inflammatory states.
What Can Affect Your Albumin Results?
Several factors can influence albumin levels, including diet (low-protein diets may lower it), chronic illnesses (like kidney or liver disease), infections, or medications. Recent blood loss, severe burns, or stress can also temporarily alter results.
Common Conditions Linked to Albumin Levels
Low albumin is often seen in conditions like chronic kidney disease, liver failure, or severe malnutrition. High albumin may suggest dehydration or acute inflammation. Doctors use these results alongside other tests to diagnose and monitor these conditions.
How Is This Test Performed?
A small blood sample is drawn from your arm and sent to a lab. The sample is processed to separate proteins, including albumin, using electrophoresis—a technique that sorts proteins by size and charge.
Reference range
Adult: 10-40 U/LN/A
No special preparation required. Avoid fatty meals before the test if possible.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Albumin testing is a routine part of comprehensive blood work and helps guide treatment for conditions affecting protein balance, fluid retention, or organ function.
Short name
Albumin
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get my albumin test results?
Can I eat or drink anything before this test?
What if my albumin level is outside the normal range?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 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 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy