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Prealbumin
Also known as: PA, Tryptophan-rich prealbumin, Thyroxine-binding prealbumin, TBPA Formal name: Transthyretin test Related tests: Albumin
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Common Questions
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1. What conditions could lead to malnutrition?
2. What is the difference between prealbumin, albumin, and microalbumin tests?
1. What conditions could lead to malnutrition?
Various diseases can lead to so-called protein-calorie malnutrition. Common diseases linked with this form of malnutrition include:
- cancer,
- chronic illness,
- protein loss in the gastrointestinal tract,
- anorexia and other eating disorders,
- liver disease,
- multiple traumas,
- obesity,
- pancreatitis, and
- burns over 30% or more of your body.
2. What is the difference between prealbumin, albumin, 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 23, 2006.
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