Albumin Blood Test

Why this test may be ordered

• As part of a routine checkup, often with liver function tests or a comprehensive metabolic panel
• If you have symptoms of liver disease (nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, fatigue, weakness, jaundice, swelling/pain in abdomen, swelling in ankles/legs, dark urine, light-colored stool, frequent itching)
• If you have symptoms of kidney disease (swelling in hands/feet or puffy eyelids, dry skin/itching/numbness, fatigue, increased/decreased urination, bloody or foamy urine, loss of appetite/weight loss, muscle cramps, nausea/vomiting, shortness of breath, sleep problems, trouble thinking clearly)
• To monitor treatment for liver or kidney conditions or other conditions that may affect albumin levels

Preparation and collection

You don't need any special preparations for this test. If your provider ordered other blood tests, you may need to fast for several hours. Tell your provider about any medicines you are taking, as certain medicines may affect results. Do not stop taking any medicines without talking with your provider first.

A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. This usually takes less than five minutes.

There is very little risk. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

Understanding results

An albumin blood test alone cannot diagnose a condition. Your provider will usually consider your albumin test results with the results of other tests to make a diagnosis. The following patterns describe possible meanings of your results, but your specific results should be interpreted by the laboratory that performed the test and your clinician.

• Lower than normal albumin levels: May be a sign of liver disease (including severe cirrhosis, hepatitis, and fatty liver disease), kidney disease, malnutrition (especially lack of protein in your diet), infection, digestive diseases that involve problems using protein from food (such as Crohn's disease and malabsorption disorders), burns over a large area of your body, or thyroid disease. Albumin levels may also be lower than normal if you haven't eaten for 24 to 48 hours, or take certain medicines including birth control pills. Albumin levels are also lower during pregnancy. Limitation: Not diagnostic by itself; must be considered with other test results. Next step: Ask your provider to explain what your results mean.
• Higher than normal albumin levels: May be a sign of dehydration, which may be caused by severe diarrhea or other conditions. Certain medicines, including steroids, insulin, and hormones, can increase albumin levels. Limitation: Not diagnostic by itself; must be considered with other test results. Next step: Ask your provider to explain what your results mean.

• An albumin blood test alone cannot diagnose a condition.
• If your albumin levels are not in the normal range, it doesn't always mean you have a medical condition that needs treatment.
• Certain medicines, including steroids, insulin, and hormones, can increase albumin levels.
• Albumin levels may be lower than normal if you haven't eaten for 24 to 48 hours, or take certain medicines, including birth control pills.
• Albumin levels are also lower during pregnancy.

What to do next

If you have questions about your test results, ask your provider to explain what they mean.

• What do my albumin test results mean in my specific situation?
• Do I need any follow-up tests based on these results?
• Should I be concerned about my liver or kidney function?

Evidence source

U.S. National Library of Medicine: Albumin Blood Test