Albumin

An albumin blood test measures the amount of albumin in your blood. Low albumin levels can be a sign of liver or kidney disease or another medical condition. High levels may be a sign of dehydration.

Albumin is a protein made by your liver. Albumin enters your bloodstream and helps keep fluid from leaking out of your blood vessels into other tissues. It is also carries hormones, vitamins, and enzymes throughout your body. Without enough albumin, fluid can leak out of your blood and build up in your lungs, abdomen (belly), or other parts of your body.

Other names: ALB, serum albumin test

What is it used for?
An albumin blood test is used to check your general health and to see how well your liver and kidneys are working. If your liver is damaged or you’re not well nourished, your liver may not make enough albumin. If your kidneys are damaged, they may let too much albumin leave your body in urine (pee).

An albumin blood test is often done as part of a group of blood tests that measure different enzymes, proteins, and other substances made in your liver. These tests are called liver function tests or liver panel. An albumin test may also be part of a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), a group of routine blood tests that measures several substances.

Why do I need an albumin blood test?
Your health care provider may order an albumin test as part your regular checkup. The test may be ordered as part of a group of liver function tests or a comprehensive metabolic panel. You may also need this test if you have symptoms of liver or kidney disease.

Symptoms of liver disease include:

Nausea and vomiting
Lack of appetite
Fatigue
Weakness
Jaundice, a condition that causes your skin and eyes to turn yellow
Swelling and/or pain in your abdomen (belly)
Swelling in your ankles and legs
Dark-colored urine (pee) and/or light-colored stool (poop)
Frequent itching
Symptoms of kidney disease include:

Swelling in the hands and feet or puffy eyelids
Dry skin, itching, or numbness
Fatigue
Increased or decreased urination
Urine that is bloody or foamy
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Muscle cramps
Nausea and vomiting
Shortness of breath
Sleep problems
Trouble thinking clearly. An albumin blood test measures the amount of albumin in your blood. Low albumin levels can be a sign of liver or kidney disease or another medical condition. High levels may be a sign of dehydration.

Albumin is a protein made by your liver. Albumin enters your bloodstream and helps keep fluid from leaking out of your blood vessels into other tissues. It is also carries hormones, vitamins, and enzymes throughout your body. Without enough albumin, fluid can leak out of your blood and build up in your lungs, abdomen (belly), or other parts of your body.

Other names: ALB, serum albumin test

What is it used for?
An albumin blood test is used to check your general health and to see how well your liver and kidneys are working. If your liver is damaged or you’re not well nourished, your liver may not make enough albumin. If your kidneys are damaged, they may let too much albumin leave your body in urine (pee).

An albumin blood test is often done as part of a group of blood tests that measure different enzymes, proteins, and other substances made in your liver. These tests are called liver function tests or liver panel. An albumin test may also be part of a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), a group of routine blood tests that measures several substances.

Why do I need an albumin blood test?
Your health care provider may order an albumin test as part your regular checkup. The test may be ordered as part of a group of liver function tests or a comprehensive metabolic panel. You may also need this test if you have symptoms of liver or kidney disease.

Symptoms of liver disease include:

Nausea and vomiting
Lack of appetite
Fatigue
Weakness
Jaundice, a condition that causes your skin and eyes to turn yellow
Swelling and/or pain in your abdomen (belly)
Swelling in your ankles and legs
Dark-colored urine (pee) and/or light-colored stool (poop)
Frequent itching
Symptoms of kidney disease include:

Swelling in the hands and feet or puffy eyelids
Dry skin, itching, or numbness
Fatigue
Increased or decreased urination
Urine that is bloody or foamy
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Muscle cramps
Nausea and vomiting
Shortness of breath
Sleep problems
Trouble thinking clearlyYou don’t need any special preparations to test for albumin in blood. If your provider ordered other blood tests, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test. Your provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow. Certain medicines may affect your test results, so tell your provider what you are taking. But don’t stop taking any medicines without talking with your provider first.