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Albumin
Test Code223
CPT Codes
82040
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum collected in a serum separator tube SST (red-top)
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Plasma collected in a sodium heparin (green-top) or lithium heparin (green-top) tube
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Serum and plasma
Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 30 days
Frozen: 6 months
Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 30 days
Frozen: 6 months
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Anticoagulants other than heparin
Methodology
Spectrophotometry (SP)
Setup Schedule
A.M.
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.