Albumin Serum Test

The albumin blood test is used to detect and diagnose a liver or kidney disorder. It is also used to assess the nutritional status of an individual. Albumin is a protein type created by the liver and is the most abundant in your blood. You need an adequate albumin balance to keep the fluid from leaking from blood vessels. Albumin gives your body the proteins it needs to keep growing and repairing tissue. It also carries vital nutrients and hormones.

There are different reasons why an albumin test is conducted. Your liver removes proteins from the food you eat and transforms them into new proteins that circulate in your body to several organs and tissues. You can know how well your liver works with this test. This test is usually included in a liver panel. 

If you are suspected of having a condition that affects your liver function, such as liver disease, you probably need an albumin test. Symptoms of liver disease include:

• fatigue
• jaundice, yellowing of the skin and eyes
• swelling around your eyes, stomach, or legs
• abnormal weight loss

The albumin test can also check certain medical conditions, including chronic pancreatitis or kidney disease. The test results can indicate whether these conditions are improving or worsening.

Low levels of albumin can indicate many conditions of health, including:

• liver disease
• malnutrition
• Crohn's disease
• inflammation
• celiac disease
• shock
• nephritic syndrome or nephrotic syndrome

High levels of albumin may mean you are dehydrated or eat a protein-rich diet. An albumin test is usually not required for dehydration diagnosis.