Albumin, Body Fluid

Message

For urine sources, order UMALR (Urine Microalbumin Random w/ Creatinine Ratio).

Test Code

FALB

Alias/See Also

Epic: LAB177

Preferred Specimen

Specimen Type: Body fluid
Preferred Source: Synovial, Pleural, Ascites, Pericardial, Peritoneal, Amniotic
Collection Container: Green top (Lithium heparin)
Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Minimum Volume

0.25 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Specimen Type: Body fluid
Collection Container: Sterile container

Instructions

Specimen source indicated on specimen is required.

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 5 days
Frozen: Unacceptable

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Unlabeled, mislabeled, wrong tube type, QNS, wrong preservative, exceeds specimen stability requirements.

Methodology

Bromcresol Purple

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

Same day

Limitations

Gross hemolysis has <10% effect on results. Grossly lipemic samples show approximately 20% increase.

Reference Range

See laboratory report

Clinical Significance

Albumin, synthesized in the liver, has the highest concentration of all serum proteins, ~55-60%. Albumin maintains oncotic pressure and transports many substances. Decreased values are seen in over hydration, hyper infusion, malnutrition, malabsorption, liver diseases, chronic alcoholism, pregnancy, acetaminophen overdose, and renal protein loss. Increased in dehydration.

Performing Laboratory
Inova Laboratories
2832 Juniper Street
Fairfax, VA 22031

Last Updated: March 7, 2023
Last Review: N. Wolford, March 7, 2023

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.