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Test Code Billings Clinic: 5380 Albumin, Pleural Fluid

Performing Laboratory

Billings Clinic Laboratory: Chemistry

Useful For

  • Albumin levels in pleural fluid may help diagnose the cause of fluid accumulation, by helping to determine whether the fluid is transudate or exudate.
  • Low albumin levels may indicate that the fluid is a transudate, while exudates typically have a higher albumin level.

Methodology

Bromcresol Purple

Specimen Requirements

  • Draw pleural fluid in a plain, red-top tube or other suitable container.
  • Send refrigerated.
  • Specimen type (fluid type/description) for each tube/container is required on request form for processing.
  • Properly label (fluid type/description) each tube/container submitted.

Storage/Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Pleural Fluid Refrigerated 3 days
  Frozen 1 month

 

Reference Values

Interpretive Remark:

No reference range or interpretation. The test result must be integrated into the clinical context for interpretation.

 

Day(s) Test Set Up

Daily

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82042 - Albumin; fluid

LOINC Code Information

Reporting Name LOINC Code
Albumin, Pleural Fluid 1748-3