Serum Albumin Test

Overnight Fasting is preferred.

Serum Albumin Test Overview

A serum albumin test also known as albumin blood test measures the volume of albumin in a blood sample. It is prescribed to diagnose various health conditions related to kidney and liver disorders. Albumin is a protein produced by the liver that helps the fluids containing enzymes, hormones and vitamins from leaking out of the bloodstream. 

The serum albumin normal range is 3.4 to 5.4 grams per deciliter (g/dL). Although this range can vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory. If low albumin level is found in the bloodstream, it can be a sign of liver or kidney disease. If albumin levels are not sufficient, fluids from the bloodstream may leak out and accumulate in the abdomen, lungs or other parts of the body. High levels of albumin may be a sign of dehydration.

With that being said, let’s look at the different components of the serum albumin test to better understand how it works.

Serum Albumin Test Components

There are four major components of a serum albumin test. 

Patient Preparation

• Patients are requested to inform doctors about all their medications before the test. 
• Certain medications have the potential to affect your albumin levels, so doctors may recommend you stop taking them temporarily before the test. 
• Doctors may also recommend patients to observe overnight fasting before the test. This is done to ensure the most accurate serum albumin levels.

Sample Collection

• The sample collection process is standard with a nurse or phlebotomist drawing blood from your veins to be sent for testing.

Sample Analysis

• Once the samples are delivered to the laboratory, they use a centrifuge to separate the serum from the other cellular matter in the blood.
• The albumin levels in the serum are measured using either the bromocresol green (BCG) method or the bromocresol purple (BCP) method.
• Both these methods involve adding specific reagents to the sample, which react with the albumin producing a colour change.
• The intensity of the colour change is used to determine whether the albumin concentration in the sample is within the serum albumin normal range or not.

Result

• Once the analysis is complete, the laboratory prepares the result.
• The serum albumin levels are expressed in grams per deciliter (g/dL) or grams per liter (g/L).
• Laboratories often mention the serum albumin normal range and the test reports in the same report to help doctors analyse the reports.