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Albumin
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Common Questions
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1. Is anyone at high risk for abnormal albumin levels?
2. Is there a home test for albumin levels?
3. What is the difference between albumin, prealbumin, and microalbumin tests?
1. Is anyone at high risk for abnormal albumin levels?
Individuals who have chronic liver disease and kidney disorders are at highest risk for developing abnormal albumin levels. In addition, individuals whose GI tract doesn’t absorb nutrients properly and individuals who have prolonged diarrhea can develop abnormal albumin levels.
2. Is there a home test for albumin levels?
No, not for blood albumin. You can test for high albumin levels in urine with a dipstick purchased in a drug store.
3. What is the difference between albumin, prealbumin, and microalbumin tests?
Albumin and microalbumin are the same molecule while prealbumin, despite the similar-sounding name, is a completely unrelated molecule. The prealbumin test measures a protein that reflects your nutritional status, particularly before and after surgery, or if you are hospitalized or taking nutritional supplements. Albumin testing is more often used to test for liver or kidney disease or to learn if your body is not absorbing enough amino acids. Albumin can also be used to monitor nutritional status. However, prealbumin changes more quickly, making it more useful for detecting changes in short-term nutritional status than albumin. The microalbumin test measures very small levels of albumin in your urine and may indicate whether you are at risk for developing kidney disease.
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This article was last reviewed on
February 24, 2006
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