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Albumin

Test Codes

Antrim #17261, EPIC: LAB5003, ALB

Department

Chemistry

Specimen Collection Criteria

FOR EC AND INPATIENT SAMPLE COLLECTION ONLY:

Preferred Sample:  One Light Green (Mint) Top Plasma Separator Tube (PST). (Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL) 

Acceptable Sample:  One Gold Top SST (Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL) 

Do NOT use Dark Green-top Lithium or Sodium Heparin tubes.

FOR PHYSICIAN OFFICE/OUTREACH SAMPLE COLLECTION:

COLLECT:  One Gold Top SST (Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL) 

Contact Laboratory for acceptability of other tube types.
See Minimum Pediatric Specimen Requirements for Microtainer^® collection.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Refrigerate (2–8°C or 36–46°F) the centrifuged SST tube within two hours of collection. (Min: 0.5 mL)

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Centrifuged SST tube, refrigerated (2–8°C or 36–46°F). (Min: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Moderate to grossly hemolyzed specimens.
• Red-top tubes with serum not separated from cells within two hours of collection.

In-Lab Processing

Let SST specimens clot 30–60 minutes. Centrifuge SST tubes and Microtainers^® to separate serum from cells. Deliver immediately to the appropriate testing station.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Centrifuged SST Tubes and Microtainers^® with Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2–4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Red-top Tubes and Microtainers^® without Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2–4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Serum Specimens (Pour-Overs)
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2–4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 7 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Canton Chemistry Laboratory
Dearborn Chemistry Laboratory
Farmington Hills Chemistry Laboratory
Grosse Pointe Chemistry Laboratory
Lenox Main Laboratory
Livonia Main Laboratory
Royal Oak Automated Chemistry Laboratory
Troy Chemistry Laboratory
Taylor Chemistry Laboratory
Trenton Chemistry Laboratory
Wayne Chemistry Laboratory 

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
Results available within 4 hours.

Reference Range

Age related reference range:

0–6 Days: 2.5–3.4 g/dL.
7 Days – 5 Years: 3.9–5.0 g/dL.
6–18 Years: 4.0–5.3 g/dL.
19–60 Years: 3.5–5.1 g/dL.
Greater than 60 Years: 3.5–4.9 g/dL.

Test Methodology

Spectrophotometry.

Interpretation

Low albumin can occur in several conditions including overhydration, chronic liver disease, nephrotic syndrome, protein-losing enteropathies, chronic inflammatory diseases, burns and malnutrition. An increased albumin may indicate dehydration. Positional changes influence albumin levels, with a decrease of up to 0.5 g/dL when an individual moves from a standing to a recumbent position.

Clinical Utility

The quantitative determination of albumin can aid in the diagnosis and management of numerous diseases including those involving the liver and kidneys. It may also be used to assess nutritional status although prealbumin is a better indicator of malnutrition (see Prealbumin).

CPT Codes

82040
LOINC: 2862-1, 61151-7, 1751-7

Contacts

Last Updated

3/21/2023