Albumin in Serum (Electrophoresis)

What Albumin Does in Your Body

Albumin is one of the most abundant proteins in your blood. It plays a critical role in keeping fluids where they belong—inside your blood vessels—rather than leaking into tissues. This helps maintain proper blood pressure and circulation. Albumin also carries important substances like hormones and medications through your body. Additionally, it supports your immune system by helping white blood cells function properly.

How the Test Works

During this test, a small sample of your blood is placed on a special gel. An electric current is applied, causing the proteins in your blood to move toward the opposite charge. Albumin, being the smallest and most negatively charged protein, moves quickly toward the positive end of the gel. After the separation, the gel is stained to visualize the protein bands, allowing for precise measurement of albumin levels and other protein types.

Why Your Doctor Might Order This Test

Your doctor may recommend an albumin electrophoresis test to diagnose or monitor conditions affecting protein levels, such as liver disease (where albumin production may be impaired), kidney disease (where protein loss can occur), or malnutrition (where protein intake may be insufficient). It can also help assess the effectiveness of treatments for these conditions.

Common Conditions Linked to Albumin Levels

Low albumin levels (hypoalbuminemia) may be linked to conditions like chronic liver disease, severe kidney disease, or malnutrition. High albumin levels (hyperalbuminemia) are less common but can occur in dehydration, certain infections, or as a side effect of some medications. These imbalances can affect how well your body functions, so monitoring is important.