ALBUMIN
Detail Description
Clinical Significance
Albumin - Serum albumin measurements are used in the monitoring and treatment of numerous diseases involving primarily the liver and kidney. Its main value lies in the follow-up therapy where improvement in the serum albumin level is the best sign of successful medical treatment. There may also be a loss of albumin in the gastrointestinal tract, in the urine by the damaged kidney or direct loss of albumin through the skin. More than 50% of patients with gluten enteropathy have depressed albumin. The only cause of increased albumin is dehydration; there is no naturally occurring hyperalbuminemia.
Preferred Specimen(s)
1 mL serum
Alternative Specimen(s)
Sodium heparin (green-top) tube • Lithium heparin (green-top) tube
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Transport Container
Serum Separator Tube (SST®)
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Serum and plasma
Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 30 days
Frozen: 6 months
Reject Criteria
Anticoagulants other than heparin"