Albumin

Message

Performing Lab: Central Lab, Hudson, Lakeview, Regions, Sartell, Westfields

Test Code

0103

Alias/See Also

Sunquest: ALB

CPT Codes
82040

Preferred Specimen

0.2 mL Lithium Heparin Plasma (light green-top) tube

Minimum Volume

0.1 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Serum (gold-top, red-top, red/gray-top), Lithium Heparin (light green-top) on ICE

Instructions

Processing:
Centrifuge specimens within 2 hours of collection

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated

Specimen Stability

Room Temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 30 days
Frozen: Indefinite

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

Hemolyzed samples

Methodology
Colorimetric

Setup Schedule

Hospital: Daily
Clinics: Monday - Friday

Report Available

Same day

Reference Range

3.5 - 5.0 g/dL

Clinical Significance

Of all serum proteins, albumin is present in the highest concentration. It maintains the plasma oncotic pressure and the transport of many substances. Increased serum albumin may indicate dehydration or hyper infusion with albumin; a decrease is found in rapid hydration, over hydration, severe malnutrition and malabsorption, severe diffuse liver necrosis, chronic active hepatitis, and neoplasia. Albumin is commonly reduced in chronic alcoholism, pregnancy, renal protein loss, thyroid dysfunction, peptic ulcer disease, and chronic inflammatory diseases.

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.