Serum or Plasma Mass Concentration of Albumin
Albumin is a protein found in your blood that helps maintain fluid balance and supports immune function. Your doctor may check your albumin level to assess how well your body is retaining fluids or to monitor conditions like kidney disease or liver problems.
["Albumin helps keep fluids in your blood vessels and supports healing; low levels may signal fluid loss or organ dysfunction."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 19198-1
- Short code
- PSA Smn-aCnc
- Synonyms
- PSA Smn-aCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 4
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 84153
- SNOMED
- 39392002
- 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 Levels Matter
Albumin plays a critical role in your body’s ability to transport nutrients, regulate blood pressure, and support immune responses. It’s also a key indicator of how well your kidneys and liver are functioning. Low albumin levels can sometimes suggest conditions like chronic kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, or severe dehydration.
What Causes Albumin Levels to Change?
Albumin levels can drop due to conditions like kidney disease, liver disease, malnutrition, or severe infections. Conversely, high levels might occur in certain genetic disorders or during pregnancy. Your doctor may also check albumin as part of a broader health assessment.
How Is Albumin Tested?
This test measures the amount of albumin protein in your blood, typically collected from serum or plasma. The test is usually done through a simple blood draw and analyzed using a specialized laboratory method to determine its concentration.
What Does Your Albumin Result Mean?
Results are interpreted based on your overall health and medical history. Low albumin may prompt further testing for conditions like kidney or liver disease, while high levels may need investigation into underlying causes like dehydration or genetic factors.
Reference range
Normal: <4.0 ng/mLN/A
No special preparation required. For PSA, avoid sexual activity for 24-48 hours before the test.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance: Albumin Levels and Health
Short name
Albumin Level
Frequently asked questions
What are the normal reference ranges for albumin?
Can diet affect my albumin test results?
How often should I get this test?
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 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy