Albumin

Test Name	Albumin
Used For	Plasma or serum levels of albumin are frequently used to assess nutritional status.
Method	Photometricrate
Aliases	None
Specimen Type	Serum (Yellow) or Heparin (Green)
Volume of sample	>0.25ml
Refrigerated stability	7 days
Interfering substances	Haemolysis
Clinical Information	Albumin is a carbohydrate-free protein, which constitutes 55-65% of total plasma protein. It maintains oncotic plasma pressure, is involved in the transport and storage of a wide variety of ligands, and is a source of endogenous amino acids. Albumin binds and solubilises various compounds, including bilirubin, calcium, long-chain fatty acids, toxic heavy metal ions, and numerous pharmaceuticals.
Interpretation	Hypoalbuminemia is caused by several factors: impaired synthesis due either to liver disease (primary) or due to diminished protein intake (secondary); increased catabolism as a result of tissue damage and inflammation; malabsorption of amino acids; and increased renalexcretion (e.g. nephrotic syndrome).
Turnaround	1h
Retention Time	7 days
References	Mayo Clinic Laboratories
	Lab Tests On Line

County Pathology Ltd