Prealbumin

Test Code

PALB

CPT Codes
84134

Preferred Specimen

Green

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Lithium Heparin Plasma (green top) tube

Transport Container

Serum (gold top) tube or Lithium Heparin Plasma (green top) tube

Transport Temperature

Room Temperature or Refrigeration; Do not freeze.

Specimen Stability

Room Temperature - 1 day; Refrigerated - 14 days; Do not freeze.

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

Quantity Not Sufficient, EDTA (purple top tube) contamination, IV contamination

Methodology
Photometric

Setup Schedule

Daily upon receipt

Report Available

Upon completion of analysis

Reference Range

17.6 - 36.0 mg/dL

Clinical Significance

Prealbumin (thyroxin-binding prealbumin, transthyretin) transports the thyroid hormones thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). It also transports vitamin A in association with retinol binding globulin. Prealbumin is a negative acute-phase reactant with decreased levels found in inflammation, malignancy, cirrhosis of the liver, and protein-wasting diseases of the gut or kidneys. Increased concentrations can be seen in Hodgkin’s disease or a prealbumin-producing tumor. Prealbumin is a sensitive indicator of nutritional status due to its short half-life, high tryptophan content, high proportion of essential-to-nonessential amino acids, and small pool size.

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.