|
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 Code39154
CPT Codes
82040<br /> Restricted Client Code
Preferred Specimen
1 mL plasma collected in sodium heparin or lithium heparin (green-top) tube
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Serum collected in serum separator tube
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 30 days
Frozen: 6 months
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Anticoagulants other than heparin
Methodology
Spectrophotometry
Setup Schedule
Set up: Daily; Report available: Next day
Reference Range
3.6-5.1 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