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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Albumin
Test CodeALB
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Heparinized plasma
Transport Container
Serum separator tube (SST)
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (cool packs)
Specimen Stability
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Anticoagulants other than heparin
Methodology
Spectrophotometry (SP)
Setup Schedule
24/7
Report Available
Same day
Reference Range
3.4-5.0 g/dL
Clinical Significance
Serum albumin measurements are used in the monitoring and treatment of numerous diseases involving primarily the liver and kidney. Its main value lies in the follow-up therapy where improvement in the serum albumin level is the best sign of successful medical treatment. There may also be a loss of albumin in the gastrointestinal tract, in the urine by the damaged kidney or direct loss of albumin through the skin. More than 50% of patients with gluten enteropathy have depressed albumin. The only cause of increased albumin is dehydration; there is no naturally occurring hyperalbuminemia.