Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw from arm
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 1-2 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Monitor nutritional status - Track protein nutrition and detect malnutrition early
- Support recovery - Assess healing progress after surgery, illness, or trauma
- Quick results - Get answers within hours to guide immediate care decisions
- No preparation needed - Simple blood draw with no fasting required
- Preventive insights - Identify nutritional deficiencies before symptoms appear
- Track interventions - Monitor effectiveness of dietary changes or nutritional therapy
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals recovering from surgery, illness, or trauma
- People with chronic conditions affecting nutrient absorption (Crohn's, celiac disease)
- Those experiencing unexplained weight loss or fatigue
- Patients receiving nutritional therapy or IV/tube feeding
- Anyone with signs of malnutrition or poor wound healing
- Health-conscious individuals monitoring preventive nutrition status
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - Select your test and visit a nearby lab location
- Quick blood draw - Technician collects a small blood sample from your arm
- Get results fast - Receive confidential results within 1-2 days via secure portal
FAQ
What does prealbumin measure in my blood? Prealbumin is a protein made by your liver that transports thyroid hormones and vitamin A. It's a sensitive marker of your body's protein nutrition status.
Do I need to fast before this test? No fasting is required. Just inform your provider about any medications or supplements you're taking.
How quickly will I get my results? Results are typically available within 1-2 hours after your blood sample reaches the laboratory.
What if my prealbumin levels are abnormal? Low levels may indicate malnutrition or inflammation, while high levels can suggest kidney disease or steroid use. Discuss results with your healthcare provider.
Can this test detect early malnutrition? Yes, prealbumin changes quickly with nutritional status, making it excellent for early detection of protein deficiency before other symptoms appear.
Who should consider this test? Anyone at risk for malnutrition, recovering from illness, or wanting to monitor their nutritional health proactively.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The prealbumin blood test measures a protein produced by your liver that plays crucial roles in transporting thyroid hormones and vitamin A throughout your body. More importantly, prealbumin serves as a highly sensitive marker of your nutritional status, particularly protein intake (MedlinePlus 2025, https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/prealbumin-blood-test/). Because prealbumin levels respond quickly to changes in nutrition and inflammation, this test is especially valuable for monitoring short-term nutritional changes in people who are ill, hospitalized, or undergoing treatment for chronic conditions.
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is particularly beneficial for individuals at risk of malnutrition or those needing close nutritional monitoring. Up to 50% of hospitalized patients in the U.S. are at risk for malnutrition, highlighting the importance of early detection (MedlinePlus 2025, https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/prealbumin-blood-test/). The test is valuable for people recovering from surgery or trauma, those with chronic diseases affecting nutrient absorption, patients receiving nutritional therapy, and anyone experiencing unexplained weight loss or poor wound healing.
When should I order the Prealbumin Blood Test?
Consider ordering this test if you have symptoms suggesting nutritional deficiency or malabsorption. Key indicators include unexplained weight loss, slow-healing wounds, frequent infections, fatigue or weakness, swelling in extremities, or changes in hair, nail, or skin quality. The test is also valuable for monitoring nutritional interventions, assessing recovery progress, or obtaining preventive health insights if you have chronic conditions or dietary concerns.
How do I interpret the results?
Prealbumin Level: 15–36 mg/dL
- What it means: Normal range
- Typical action: Continue current nutrition plan
Prealbumin Level: Below 15 mg/dL
- What it means: Possible malnutrition or inflammation
- Typical action: Consult provider for evaluation
Prealbumin Level: Above 36 mg/dL
- What it means: May indicate kidney disease or steroid use
- Typical action: Further testing recommended
Prealbumin levels below 15 mg/dL are strongly associated with increased risk of poor outcomes in hospitalized patients.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No special preparation or fasting is required for the prealbumin blood test. However, inform your healthcare provider about all medications and supplements you're taking, as some may affect results. The test involves a simple blood draw from a vein in your arm, typically taking just a few minutes.
How often should I get tested?
- Hospitalized or high-risk patients: Every 3–5 days
- Monitoring nutritional therapy: Weekly to monthly
- Recovery from illness or surgery: As recommended by provider
- Preventive health monitoring: Annually or as needed
Why early detection matters
Early nutritional intervention based on prealbumin monitoring can reduce hospital stays and healthcare costs while improving patient outcomes. Detecting nutritional deficiencies early allows for timely intervention before serious complications develop.
Related tests you may consider
Albumin Test - Assesses long-term protein status and pairs well with prealbumin for a comprehensive nutritional profile.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) - Helps differentiate between malnutrition and inflammation, as both can lower prealbumin levels.
Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP) - Provides broader insight into liver and kidney function, which can affect prealbumin levels and overall nutritional assessment.
