Overview of Albumin Blood Tests
Low albumin levels can point to liver or renal disease; excessive levels may point to dehydration; albumin is a protein created by the liver that gauges blood content.
Besides helping the vital molecules such hormones, vitamins, and enzymes, albumin stops fluid from seeping out of blood vessels and into other tissues.
• The test tracks kidney and liver performance as well as general health and nutrition.
• It might also be included on a complete metabolic panel (CMP), a set of routinely performed blood tests measuring 14 compounds in a blood sample.
• _ Usually conducted as part of a regular check-up, the test could be required should liver or kidney disease signs exist.
Typically, the test lasts less than five minutes.
• Though fasting may be required should other blood tests be performed, the test does not call for any particular preparation.
• Given most symptoms go away rapidly, the test poses very little risk.
• Although the test findings by themselves cannot identify a condition, they are taken into consideration together with other testing.
• Low albumin levels could point to liver illness, kidney disease, malnutrition, infection, digestive tract problems, burns over a sizable area, and thyroid disease.
• Lower than normal albumin levels may not always indicate a medical condition needing therapy.