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Albumin blood (serum) test

Albumin is a protein made by the liver. A serum albumin test measures the amount of this protein in the clear liquid portion of the blood.

Albumin can also be measured in the urine.

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Blood test

How the Test is Performed

A blood sample is needed.

How to Prepare for the Test

The health care provider may tell you to temporarily stop taking certain medicines that can affect the test. Drugs that can increase albumin levels include:

Do not stop taking any of your medicines without talking to your provider first.

How the Test will Feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.

Why the Test is Performed

Albumin helps move many small molecules through the blood, including bilirubin, calcium, progesterone, and some medicines. It plays an important role in keeping the fluid in the blood from leaking into the tissues.

This test can help determine if you have liver disease or kidney disease, or if your body is not absorbing enough protein.

Normal Results

The normal range is 3.4 to 5.4 g/dL (34 to 54 g/L).

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Lower-than-normal level of serum albumin may be a sign of:

Decreased blood albumin may occur when your body does not get or absorb enough nutrients, such as with:

Increased blood albumin may be due to:

Drinking too much water (water intoxication) may also cause abnormal albumin results.

Other conditions for which the test may be performed:

Risks

There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another, and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:

Considerations

If you are receiving large amounts of intravenous fluids, the results of this test may be inaccurate.

Albumin will be decreased during pregnancy.

Related Information

Liver disease
Protein in diet
Bilirubin blood test
Ascites
Burns
Glomerulonephritis
Hepatitis
Cirrhosis
Necrosis
Malabsorption
Crohn disease
Celiac disease – sprue
Whipple disease
Nephrotic syndrome
Diabetes and kidney disease
Loss of brain function - liver disease
Hepatorenal syndrome
Membranous nephropathy
Tropical sprue
Wilson disease

References

McPherson RA. Specific proteins. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 20.

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Review Date: 2/28/2023  

Reviewed By: Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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