Alternative Medicine

Understanding Illnesses and Test Results

The Albumin Blood Test

Question

What is the albumin blood test, what is it used for and what do its results mean?

Answer

The albumin blood test (ALB) is an important test that measures the amount of albumin in your blood. Albumin is a protein made by the liver. It helps keep fluid in the bloodstream so that it does not leak into other tissues, and it carries various substances around the body, including hormones, vitamins and enzymes.

Low levels of albumin in the blood can point to a problem with the liver or kidneys.

What the Albumin Test Is Used For

The albumin blood test is a type of liver function test. These are blood tests that measure various enzymes and proteins in the liver, including albumin. The albumin test may also be part of a comprehensive metabolic panel, a group of tests that measure many substances in your blood, including electrolytes, glucose and proteins such as albumin.

Why Do I Need an Albumin Test?

Your doctor may have ordered liver function tests, including an albumin test, as part of a routine check-up. You may also need this test if you have symptoms of liver or kidney disease.

Symptoms of Liver Disease

  1. Jaundice, a condition in which your skin and eyes turn yellow.
  2. Exhaustion and fatigue.
  3. Weight loss.
  4. Loss of appetite.
  5. Dark urine.
  6. Pale stools.

Symptoms of Kidney Disease

  1. Swelling around the abdomen, thighs or face.
  2. Frequent urination, especially at night.
  3. Foamy, bloody or coffee-coloured urine.
  4. Nausea.
  5. Itchy skin.

Albumin Test Results

The normal albumin level is between 3.4 and 5.4 grams per decilitre. If your albumin level is below normal, it may point to one of the following conditions:

  1. Liver disease, including cirrhosis.
  2. Kidney disease.
  3. Malnutrition.
  4. Infection.
  5. Inflammatory bowel disease.
  6. Thyroid disease.

If levels are higher than normal, this may indicate dehydration or severe diarrhoea.

If your albumin level is outside the normal range, it does not necessarily mean you have a condition that needs treatment. Some medicines, including steroids, insulin and hormones, can raise albumin levels, while others, including the contraceptive pill, can lower them.