Albumin Test - Serum
50+ booked in last 3 daysSerum Albumin Test Overview
Various proteins are required to conduct bodily functions. One of the essential elements that circulate in the human blood is protein. It helps in the maintenance of body fluid. Among the proteins found in the blood, Albumin is one of those found in abundance in the blood plasma. Albumin is synthesized in the body in the liver and then transported through the body. It is essential for blood plasma.
The albumin serum test measures the amount of albumin in your blood. Albumin helps maintain fluid balance in your body and carries various substances throughout your bloodstream. Doctors often order this test as part of a liver function panel to assess your liver health and identify potential issues like liver disease or malnutrition.
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Written by: Dr.Shibani R, Medical Writer, Medical Affairs
Reasons for Undergoing the Albumin Test
The albumin test is a vital component in the realm of medical diagnostics, providing essential insights into various health conditions. Understanding the significance of the albumin test can help individuals recognise its importance in diagnosing health issues, monitoring existing conditions, and assessing nutritional status. Here are the key reasons for undergoing an albumin blood test:
- Diagnosing liver and kidney diseases: The albumin test helps evaluate the functioning of the liver and kidneys, especially when symptoms like jaundice, fatigue, weight loss, fever, vomiting, dark urine, and swelling are present.
- Assessing nutritional status: The albumin test can determine if the body is absorbing enough nutrients, particularly protein, which is essential for conditions like coeliac disease, Crohn's disease, and malnutrition.
- Monitoring existing conditions: The albumin test is used to track the progression of kidney disease, liver disease, and chronic pancreatitis and to evaluate treatment effectiveness.
- Routine check-ups and screening: Although not typically done alone, the albumin test can be part of a comprehensive metabolic panel or liver panel during routine medical check-ups to screen for potential health issues before symptoms arise.
List of Parameters Considered During the Albumin Test
The serum albumin test is an important diagnostic tool used to evaluate the health of the liver and kidneys and to assess overall nutritional status. By measuring the level of albumin in the blood, healthcare providers can gain insights into various bodily functions and detect potential medical conditions. Here's the main parameter considered:
- Albumin: This protein, produced by the liver, plays crucial roles in maintaining fluid balance, preventing leakage from blood vessels into tissues, and transporting vital substances like hormones, enzymes, and vitamins throughout the body.
Home Collection for Albumin Test Near You
By choosing Metropolis Healthcare's home collection service for your albumin test, you can enjoy unparalleled convenience and comfort. Our trained phlebotomists will visit your home to collect your blood sample, ensuring a safe and hygienic process.
We follow stringent protocols to ensure the accuracy of your albumin test results, so you can trust their reliability. We focus on delivering timely and dependable results to ensure your health journey is as smooth and effortless as possible.
At Metropolis Healthcare, we are committed to making quality diagnostic services easily accessible, and our home collection service for albumin test is one of the many ways we bring healthcare right to your doorstep.
Albumin Test - Serum Price
Metropolis Healthcare is a leading diagnostics centre and pathology lab in India equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technologies that provides the Albumin Test - Serum with a clear pricing structure.
The Albumin Test - Serum Price in Mumbai is â‚ą 260 .
We are committed to deliver accurate and quality results from the best labs in India with complete transparency regarding test cost and turnaround time. No matter where you are, we strive to offer patients high-quality service that is affordable and accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Serum albumin test is performed to assess nutritional status and any liver or kidney disease.
It also indicates if the protein is being absorbed properly in the body.
An albumin serum test is taken under the following conditions:
- To understand the level of protein absorption
- To examine the alteration from the normal level due to underproduction by the liver or non-absorption by the kidney.
- To assess the presence of any kidney disease.
- To ascertain if the patient is having any disease related to the liver.
- To ascertain a healthy lifestyle in an individual and examine whether or not the person is well nourished.
- To examine the patient in a panel or measurement for other tests, such as the liver panel and comprehensive metabolic panel
People with the following symptoms should do the Albumin Serum Test:
Liver-related symptoms:
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Dark urine.
- Oedema (swelling) in the abdominal area and legs
- Bruises.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Loss of appetite.
- Stool changes, like pale-coloured stool.
- Jaundice
Kidney related symptoms:
- Swelling in the hands
- Blood in urine
- Dry or itchy skin
- Shortness of breath
- Appetite loss.
- Weakness
- Muscle cramps
- Vomiting and nausea
- Trouble concentrating.
- Nocturia or Frequent urination, especially at night (nocturia).
- Changes in urine to foamy, bloody, or dark
- Swelling in the face, ankles or feet
- Trouble sleeping
Serum albumin test measures the albumin protein level in the blood.
The Albumin Serum Test measures the presence of the specific protein albumin protein level in the clear liquid part of the blood.
During serum albumin test The blood sample is taken 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. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
It is a small test that may take less than five minutes at your health provider. A needle is inserted in the veins in your arm to draw a small amount of blood. The blood drawn is stored for examination by your healthcare provider in a vial or test tube. Some people may feel moderate pain as the needle enters and leave. Others only feel a sting or prick experience. There may remain some throbbing experience. In some cases, there may be a slight bruise in the area from which the blood is drawn. Both of these subside soon.
Low albumin levels may occur due:
decrease synthesis by liver, less protein intake, increased catabolism due to tissue damage, poor absorption, or abnormal excretion in urine due to kidney disease.
High albumin levels may occur due to severe dehydration and diarrhoea.
The albumin levels in themselves cannot be used to diagnose any medical condition. Rather, the test is accompanied by other examinations suggested by the healthcare provider to make a diagnosis. In case your results are suggested to be lower than the normal range, the condition may be a result of the decrease in the synthesis of albumin by the liver.
It also indicates conditions of less protein intake or poor absorption. The catabolism may have increased in the body due to tissue damage or abnormal excretion of albumin in the urine due to kidney disease is also a cause of low range in your test. On the other hand, high albumin levels signify the chances of severe dehydration and diarrhoea in the person taking the test.
Does kidney and liver disease affect albumin?
Yes, a low level of albumin can be a sign of liver or kidney disease.
What level of albumin is indicative of liver disease?
The albumin levels in patients with advanced liver disease may become less than 3.5 g/dl.
What level of albumin is indicative of kidney disease?
In case a patient has kidney disease, the albumin levels may increase above 30 mg/g.
What does albumin do in liver and kidney diseases?
In liver disease, albumin levels may decrease which can lead to difficulty in the transportation of essential body fluids, such as hormones. In kidney diseases, low levels of albumin may lead to problems in the repair of tissues and the maintenance of their growth.
A health provider may ask anyone showing indications of liver or kidney diseases to take the test.
The test should be done when the symptoms of problems affecting your kidney liver or kidneys are seen.
No special preparation is required for the test. If this test is prescribed by others, you may need to fast for a few hours leading to the test. In case there are any special conditions or medications your healthcare provider will inform you.
Albumin levels only help in identifying the problem. They are not sufficient to diagnose the conditions.
- Liver function tests
- Liver panel
- Albumin Protein Test
The albumin test is a blood test that measures the level of albumin, a protein produced by the liver, in the blood. It helps evaluate liver and kidney function and nutritional status and monitors certain health conditions.
The albumin blood test detects the level of albumin in the blood, which can indicate issues related to liver function, kidney function, nutritional deficiencies, inflammation, infections, and certain gastrointestinal diseases.
Albumin test reports indicate the level of albumin in the blood, usually measured in grammes per decilitre (g/dL). The normal range is typically between 3.4 and 5.4 g/dL, and abnormal levels may suggest underlying health issues.
An abnormal or "positive" result in the albumin test indicates that the albumin level is outside the normal range. Low levels may suggest liver disease, kidney disease, or malnutrition, while high levels may indicate dehydration or a high-protein diet. Further tests may be needed to determine the underlying cause.
The benefits of the albumin test include diagnosing and monitoring liver and kidney diseases, evaluating nutritional status, assessing treatment effectiveness for related conditions, and identifying potential health issues before symptoms arise.
High albumin levels in the albumin blood test are usually caused by dehydration, severe diarrhoea, or a high-protein diet. It can also result from prolonged tourniquet use during blood collection or other specific conditions.
Albumin levels increase in the blood primarily due to dehydration, which concentrates the albumin. Other causes include a high-protein diet and certain conditions like acute infections, burns, or stress from surgery or a heart attack.
Reducing albumin levels is not typically a goal, as low albumin levels are more commonly a concern. If high levels are due to dehydration, rehydrating can help normalise them. Addressing the underlying cause is necessary for other factors.
The risks associated with the albumin test are minimal and include excessive bleeding, fainting, multiple punctures to locate veins, haematoma (blood collecting under the skin), and infection at the puncture site.
The albumin test can help diagnose or monitor conditions such as liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis), kidney diseases (nephritic or nephrotic syndrome), malnutrition, inflammatory diseases, gastrointestinal diseases (Crohn's disease, coeliac disease), burns, and severe injuries.
Yes, certain medications like anabolic steroids, androgens, growth hormones, insulin, and other hormones can affect albumin levels. Inform your healthcare provider about all medications, herbs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking before the albumin test.
Fasting is usually not required for the albumin test. However, it's important to consult your doctor to determine if you need to stop taking any medications beforehand, as some drugs can influence albumin levels in the blood.
Several factors can affect albumin test results, including dehydration, medications (anabolic steroids, insulin), pregnancy, certain medical conditions (liver or kidney disease, malnutrition), intravenous fluids, tourniquet use during blood collection, and high or low protein diets.
The time to receive the results of the albumin test can vary, but it typically takes 3 days. The exact duration depends on when the sample was collected and processed.
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