Albumin Blood Test

An albumin blood test measures the amount of albumin in your blood. Albumin is a protein made by your liver. Low albumin levels can be a sign of liver or kidney disease or another medical condition.

High levels may be a sign of dehydration. Blood is made of fluid and blood cells. Albumin keeps the fluid part of your blood from leaking out of your blood vessels (the tubes your blood flows through) and into other tissues.

If you don't have enough albumin, fluid can leak out of your blood and build up in your lungs, abdomen (belly), or other parts of your body. Albumin also helps carry important substances throughout your body. These include hormones, vitamins, and enzymes (proteins that speed up certain chemical reactions in your body).

Why this test is done

Your health care provider may order an albumin test as part of your routine checkup. In this case, the test is usually ordered as part of a group of liver function tests or a comprehensive metabolic panel.

You may also need an albumin 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 your 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

With some types of kidney disease, such as chronic kidney disease, you may not have symptoms until the later stages.

How to prepare

You 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.

Sample type

Blood

Other names for this test

ALB, serum albumin test