Test Code ALB Albumin
Specimen and Container/Tube
Specimen Type: Plasma
Preferred Specimen: Li-Heparin Mint Green Top
Other Acceptable specimens: Serum/Gold Top, Serum/Red Top
Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions
UCMC Onsite Instructions:
Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately.
UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions:
- Samples should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
- Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Aliquot sample into plastic transport tube containing a minimum of 0.2 mL of specimen.
- Samples must be sent room temperature at 15-25oC.
Rejection Criteria
- Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits.
- Specimens that are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.
- Specimens that were transported unspun/whole blood and draw time is greater than 6 hours.
Reference Values
Test |
Age |
Sex |
Reference Range |
Albumin |
All |
All |
3.5-5.0 g/dL |
Critical Values
Analyte |
Unit |
Low |
High |
Age |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
CPT Codes
82040
LOINC Codes
61151-7
Volume
Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL
Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL
Specimen Stability
Storage Temperature |
Stability |
Room temperature |
2.5 months |
Refrigerated |
5 months |
Frozen |
4 months |
Collection Instructions
Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures.
Test Components
Albumin
Clinical Indications
Assist in the assessment of liver synthetic function.
Methodology
Colorimetric Assay Spectrophotometric (Roche Diagnostics)
Additional Information
- Results should always be assessed in conjunction with patient's medical history, clinical examination and other findings.
- Determination of albumin may lead to falsely elevated test results in patients suffering from renal failure or insufficiency due to interferences with other proteins.
Turnaround Time
Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory.
STAT Turnaround Time: 1 hour
Routine Turnaround Time: 4 hours
Testing Schedule: 24/7
Synonyms/Keyword Search
N/A
Last Review Date
8/14/2024