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Test Code ALB Albumin, Serum

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Serum


Necessary Information


Patient's age and sex are required.



Specimen Required


Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Collection Instructions:

1. Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.

2. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged, and the serum aliquoted into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.25 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 150 days
  Frozen  120 days

Reference Values

≥12 months: 3.5-5.0 g/dL

 

Reference values have not been established for patients who are <12 months of age.

 

For SI unit Reference Values, see https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/order-tests/si-unit-conversion.html

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

CPT Code Information

82040

Clinical Information

Albumin is a carbohydrate-free protein, which constitutes 55% to 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 solubilizes various compounds, including bilirubin, calcium, long-chain fatty acids, toxic heavy metal ions, and numerous pharmaceuticals.

 

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 renal excretion (eg, nephrotic syndrome).

Report Available

Same day/1 to 2 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject

Method Name

Photometric, Bromcresol Green