Albumin

Message

Performed in the Chemistry Laboratory x5820
10.2018

Test Code

ALB

CPT Codes
82040

Preferred Specimen

Plasma from a green top (PST) tube

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

NULL

Instructions

The specimen should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
Frozen specimens must be completely thawed before mixing. Mix thawed specimens thoroughly. Visually inspect thawed specimens. If layering or stratification is observed, mix until specimens are visibly homogeneous. If specimens are not mixed thoroughly, inconsistent results may be obtained.
NOTE: Stored specimens must be inspected for particulates. If present, mix and centrifuge the specimen to remove particulates prior to testing.

Transport Container

Green Top (PST) tube

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

2 - 8 ^oC: 7 days

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

Plasma specimens should be free of fibrin, red blood cells, and other particulate matter.

Methodology
Bromcresol Green

Setup Schedule

Testing is performed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week

Reference Range

Sex	Age	Normal Low Range g/dL	Normal High Range g/dL
Female	≤ 5 days	2.6	3.6
Male	≤ 5 days	2.6	3.6
Not known	≤ 5 days	2.6	3.6
Female	≤ 3 years	3.4	4.2
Male	≤ 3 years	3.4	4.2
Not known	≤ 3 years	3.4	4.2
Female	≤ 6 years	3.5	5.2
Male	≤ 6 years	3.5	5.2
Not known	≤ 6 years	3.5	5.2
Female	≤ 19 years	3.7	5.6
Male	≤ 19 years	3.7	5.6
Not known	≤ 19 years	3.7	5.6
Female	≤ 150 years	3.4	4.8
Male	≤ 150 years	3.4	4.8
Not known	≤ 150 years	3.4	4.8

Clinical Significance

Since albumin is low in many different diseases and disorders, albumin testing is used in a variety of settings to help diagnose disease, to monitor changes in health status with treatment or with disease progression, and as a screen that may indicate the need for other kinds of testing.

An albumin test may be ordered as part of a liver panel to evaluate liver function, along with a creatinine and BUN to evaluate kidney function, or along with a prealbumin to evaluate a person's nutritional status. A physician may order an albumin test, along with other tests, when a person has symptoms of a liver disorder such as jaundice, fatigue, or weight loss, or symptoms of nephrotic syndrome such as swelling around the eyes, belly, or legs.

Low albumin levels can suggest liver disease. Other liver enzyme tests are ordered to determine exactly which type of liver disease. Low albumin levels can reflect diseases in which the kidneys cannot prevent albumin from leaking from the blood into the urine and being lost. In this case, the amount of albumin or protein in the urine also may be measured.

Low albumin levels can also be seen in inflammation, shock and malnutirition. Low albumin levels may be seen with conditions in which the body does not properly absorb and digest protein, such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease, or in which large volumes of protein are lost from the intestines.

High albumin levels can be seen with dehydration, although the test is not typically used to monitor or detect this condition. Certain drugs increase albumin in the blood, including anabolic steroids, androgens, growth hormones, and insulin.

If someone is receiving large amounts of intravenous fluids, the results of this test may be inaccurate

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.