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Description

Albumin is a protein found in the blood and is the most abundant protein in the human body. It is produced in the liver and is responsible for maintaining the osmotic pressure of the blood. Albumin can be acquired from a patient's serum by a clinical test known as a serum albumin test. This test involves collecting a sample of the patient's blood and then separating the serum from the other components of the blood. The serum is then tested for the presence of albumin. This can be done using a variety of methods, including spectrophotometry, nephelometry, and immunoassays. The results of the test can be used to diagnose and monitor a variety of conditions, including liver disease, kidney disease, and malnutrition.

Synonyms

• alb

Other Sample Sources for This Test

• cerebrospinal fluid
• duodenal contents
• esophageal fluid
• lung fluid
• peritoneal fluid
• plasma
• pleural fluid
• saliva
• sputum
• urine

Some Diseases Associated with an Abnormal Albumin

• benign hypertension
• diabetes mellitus
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• malignant neoplasm
• injury
• normal pregnancy
• dermatitis
• coronary atherosclerosis
• celiac disease
• secondary malignant bone or bone marrow neoplasm
• malignant pulmonary neoplasm
• malignant female breast neoplasm
• inflammatory bowel disease
• anemia
• chronic liver disease
• hypothyroidism
• acute pancreatitis
• pneumonia
• fever
• congestive heart failure
• bacterial pneumonia
• hematologic malignancy
• malignant prostate neoplasm
• acute stress reaction
• benign prostatic hypertrophy
• gastritis
• chronic kidney disease
• biliary disorder
• pneumococcal pneumonia
• heat stroke
• candidiasis
• AIDS
• diffuse connective tissue disease
• acute renal failure

Detailed Laboratory Testing Information (use the custom search buttons below to find details on these topics)

All of the following must be considered when interpreting clinical findings and are too extensive to be covered on this site: