Prealbumin Blood Test
Reviewed
This test measures prealbumin, a protein made in the liver. Low levels may suggest malnutrition, but can also be caused by inflammation, infection, or injury. Many experts now question its use for assessing nutrition. Your provider will interpret results and may order additional tests.
Preparation and collection
No special preparation is needed. Tell your provider about all medicines you take, but do not stop any unless instructed.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- Low prealbumin may be caused by inflammation, infection, or injury rather than malnutrition.
- Many experts now believe this test should not be used to measure nutrition levels or test for malnutrition.
- Abnormal results do not always mean you have a condition that needs treatment; pregnancy and certain medicines can affect levels.
- More research is needed to understand what abnormal results may mean.
What to do next
Your healthcare provider will interpret your prealbumin level in the context of your overall health and may order additional tests to determine the cause of abnormal results.