Albumin

Test Code

ALB

CPT Codes
82040

Preferred Specimen

1 mL serum

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Sodium heparin (green-top) tube • Lithium heparin (green-top) tube

Transport Container

Serum separator tube (SST)

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Serum and plasma
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

p.m. Mon-Sat

Report Available

1 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.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics - Great Lakes Region

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.