Albumin Blood Test: Normal Range, Procedure & More

You must have heard about a CBC test, LFT, KFT, blood sugar, cholesterol, and other tests. It is because a healthcare professional quite frequently prescribes them due to a sedentary lifestyle and a genetic factor contributing to severe health complications. 

Today’s article is a step ahead, intending to upgrade your knowledge. Hence, it contains a detailed explanation of an albumin blood test. It is often a part of a routine health checkup (comprehensive metabolic panel). It may also be suggested when doctors find your body shows signs of liver or kidney disease, such as dark urine, fatigue, fever, pain or soreness around right ribs, or shortness of breath. 

Getting anxious? Let’s discover the albumin blood test in detail. 

What is an albumin blood test?

An albumin blood test helps measure the amount of protein in your blood. Albumin is a protein that your liver cells secrete and enter the blood circulation after synthesis. It also carries substances such as medicines, hormones, and enzymes throughout the body. 

The normal range for albumin is about 3.5-5 g/dL. It constitutes more than half of the plasma protein. 

Additionally, the albumin test, also known as a serum albumin test, helps measure the liver's functional capacity. 

Nevertheless, when your kidneys stop working, albumin begins to leak into your urine, causing a low albumin level in the blood. 

What are the main symptoms of an albumin blood test?

The main symptoms are related to a kidney or liver disease, including: 

• Yellowish skin
• Extreme fatigue
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Dark yellow urine
• Abdominal pain
• Soreness or pain below your right ribs

Other symptoms indicating your liver or kidney health is in danger and needs an albumin blood test are: 

• Swelling in the stomach 
• Shortness of breath
• Frequent urination
• Nausea
• Itchy skin
• Erectile dysfunction 

What are the possible causes of albumin in urine?

The possible causes of albumin in urine, indicating a sign of developing or underlying health conditions 

include: 

• High Blood Pressure
• Kidney Disease
• Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
• Diabetes

How can you prepare for the albumin blood test?

You don’t need special preparations for an albumin blood test. Consult your doctor, though, as he may suggest fasting before the test or stopping certain medications to prevent the test results from being affected. 

What is the procedure for an albumin blood test?

The procedure of an albumin blood test is quick and simple. The expert needs a blood sample to check for normal, high, or low albumin levels in the blood. 

The healthcare professional must ensure you are absolutely ready for the blood test. Once he finds a suitable vein in your arm, he will tie a tourniquet band around it. 

Then, he will clean the injection site with an alcohol swab, which is followed by inserting a needle into the vein to draw blood. 

Further, he will collect the blood in a blood collection tube and cover the site with cotton gauze. 

Lastly, he will label the blood sample with your details. 

More Details Related to the Albumin Blood Test Procedure: 

• Once the labeling is done, the expert will place your labeled blood sample in a specialized bag and submit it to the lab. 
• The lab experts will analyze your albumin blood test sample and generate reports.

Note: You may feel a slight pain or bruise on the puncture site. Although rare, severe symptoms associated with the albumin blood test include excessive bleeding, fainting, feeling lightheaded, multiple punctures to locate veins, infection, or blood collecting under the skin. 

What is the purpose of an albumin blood test?

The purpose of an albumin test is as follows: 

• Measures protein levels: Your healthcare provider may suggest a test to measure blood albumin (protein) levels. 
• Checks for overall health: The albumin test is a diagnostic tool that confirms if you have enough albumin for overall health. 
• Assesses the functioning of the liver: The test is crucial to know how well your liver is working. This is because kidneys filter and regulate albumin. 
• Checks kidney health: The test also reveals the functioning of the kidneys. This is because kidneys filter and regulate albumin. 
• Detects health issues: If your albumin blood test reports show low levels, it may mean liver or kidney problems. You may also suffer from malnutrition or other health issues. 
• Monitor treatment: Nevertheless, the test also helps the effectiveness of treatments and conditions affecting protein levels. 
• Nutritional Status: The test also helps evaluate your body's nutrition status. Low albumin levels may indicate a diet deficiency. 

What do albumin test results mean?

The normal range of albumin in adults is typically between 3.4 and 5.4 grams per deciliter. There may be a slight variation in the normal value range for albumin levels. Different labs use different measurements. Consult your albumin test results with your healthcare provider to know the specific meaning of your test results. 

If your albumin levels show low levels (hypoalbuminemia), it may signal the following conditions or medications: 

• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) indicates kidney damage due to high BP, heart disease, and a family history of kidney failure. 
• Liver diseases such as cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, hepatitis A, B, or C, and liver cancer. 
• Crohn’s disease: It indicates inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and makes nutrient absorption difficult. 
• Celiac disease: This health condition indicates an autoimmune disorder in which gluten-related foods cause white blood cells to attack the small intestine lining. 
• Thyroid disease can cause problems with the immune system. 
• Infection also causes low albumin levels. 
• Pregnancy: During pregnancy, albumin levels become low, but they can return to normal after delivering a baby. 
• Birth control pills and other medications can cause low albumin levels in the blood. 
• Whipple disease: It is a bacterial infection that occurs in joints and the digestive system. 
• Weight loss surgery: Surgeries, including weight loss, reduce the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Low levels of albumin may also indicate malnutrition. 

Increased or high albumin levels may be due to: 

• Dehydration
• High protein diet 

Additionally, water intoxication, or consuming too much water, can show abnormalities in your albumin blood test reports. 

Book an Albumin Blood Test from Redcliffe Labs at INR 149 Only! 

If suggested, download the Redcliffe Labs mobile app or call to book an albumin blood test for just Rs 149. The phlebotomist will come to your doorstep with a blood sample collection kit, ensuring a painless and safe blood draw. Get the most accurate reports, typically within 12 hours. 

Step-by-step information on booking an albumin blood test online from Redcliffe Labs. 

1. Visit the official Redcliffe Labs website: https://redcliffelabs.com/.
2. Search for the specific test you need. 
3. Add the test to the cart. 
4. Complete the payment process online.
5. You will receive confirmation through SMS and WhatsApp.

Additionally, your healthcare provider may suggest a urine test to detect albumin in urine. Hence, you can select convenience urine home sample collection from Healthy India Ki Trusted Lab-Redcliffe Labs. So, why wait? Get yourself tested with us now! 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an albumin blood test?

The albumin blood test determines the level of albumin in your blood. Albumin is crucial to maintaining the body’s fluid balance and carrying hormones, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body.

2. What do the albumin blood test results indicate?

The albumin blood test results indicate either low or high albumin levels in the blood. Low albumin levels (hypoalbuminemia) may occur due to kidney or liver disease and infections. High albumin levels (hyperalbuminemia) may signal dehydration and certain medicines.

3. How can high and low albumin levels be treated?

Dietary changes and addressing underlying causes can treat high albumin levels. Conversely, a low albumin level can be treated by drinking plenty of fluids and medical intervention.