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Test Code Billings Clinic: 4017 Albumin, Plasma or Serum

Performing Laboratory

Billings Clinic Laboratory: Chemistry

Useful For

  • Albumin is the major serum protein in normal individuals. 
  • Elevated serum albumin levels are ususally the result of dehydration. 
  • Decreased albumin levels are found in a wide variety of conditions, including kidney disease, malabsorption, malnutrition, severe burns, infections and cancer.

Methodology

Bromcresol Purple

Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection.

 

Plasma

  • Draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) tube(s).
  • Spin down and send 0.5 mL of heparinized plasma frozen.

 

Serum

  • Draw blood in a plain, red-top tube(s) or a serum gel tube(s).
  • Spin down and send 0.5 mL of serum frozen

Storage/Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum, Plasma Refrigerated 3 days
  Frozen (preferred) 1 month

 

Reject Due To

  • Specimens not drawn in the correct collection tube
  • Gross hemolysis

Reference Values

0 - 15 days                  3.0 - 3.9 g/dL

16 days - 1 year          2.2 - 4.8 g/dL

2 - 16 years                 3.6 - 5.2 g/dL

> 16 years                   3.4 - 5.0 g/dL

Day(s) Test Set Up

Daily

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82040 - Albumin; serum, plasma or whole blood

LOINC Code Information

Reporting Name LOINC Code
Albumin, Blood 61152-5