Serum or plasma concentration of albumin
Albumin is a protein found in your blood that helps maintain fluid balance and supports immune function. Your doctor may order this test to check for conditions like malnutrition, kidney disease, or liver problems.
["Albumin levels help assess overall health and identify potential issues with protein balance in your body."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 63211-7
- Short code
- SMA Ab Ser Ql IF
- Synonyms
- SMA Ab Ser Ql IF
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- if
- 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 key role in keeping fluids where they belong in your body and helps transport important substances like hormones and medications. Low levels can signal problems with your liver, kidneys, or nutrition, while high levels may indicate dehydration or certain medical conditions.
What Can Affect Albumin Levels?
Several factors can influence albumin levels, including diet (especially protein intake), chronic diseases like kidney or liver disease, infections, inflammation, or medications. Stress, pregnancy, and certain medical treatments can also impact results.
Common Reasons for Testing
Doctors may test albumin levels to diagnose or monitor conditions such as malnutrition, kidney disease (like chronic kidney disease), liver disease, burns, or to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments for these conditions.
What to Expect During the Test
This test involves drawing a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm. You may feel a slight pinch, but it usually doesn’t cause significant discomfort. The blood is then sent to a lab for analysis.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Low albumin levels may indicate underlying health issues such as protein-losing conditions, severe infections, or malnutrition. High albumin levels might suggest dehydration or conditions like multiple myeloma. Always discuss your results with your healthcare provider, as they’ll consider your overall health and symptoms to interpret the findings accurately.
Short name
Albumin Level
Frequently asked questions
How often should I expect this test?
What are typical reference ranges?
Can diet or lifestyle changes affect my albumin levels?
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