Insight into your albumin level.
Albumin is the most abundant protein in your blood plasma. Your liver produces it, it keeps fluid inside the blood vessels, and it transports substances such as calcium, hormones and medicines around the body.
Also known as: serum albumin
Personal assessment by our BIG-registered doctors
How Bloodworks works
Order online
Choose your package and preferred location
Receive your lab form
Within 24 hours by email, with appointment planner
Schedule your blood draw
Or choose a walk-in location
Blood draw
Takes just a few minutes
Receive your report
Securely, typically within 2 working days from our physicians
Background
What is albumin?
Albumin is the protein your blood contains most of. It is made exclusively by the liver and serves two purposes at once. The first is holding on to fluid: albumin exerts the pressure that keeps water inside the blood vessels. The second is transport. Albumin binds calcium, bilirubin, fatty acids, hormones and many medicines, and carries them to where they are needed.
Because the liver is the only producer and healthy kidneys normally retain the protein, the albumin level says something about both organs at once. Your nutritional status and any long-standing inflammation also play a part. An albumin level therefore rarely tells the whole story on its own; it gains meaning alongside the liver enzymes, the kidney values and an inflammation marker.
In brief
From the liver
The only organ that produces albumin
Retains fluid
Keeps water inside the blood vessels
Transports substances
Binds calcium, hormones and medicines among others
No fasting
You do not need to fast for this test
This marker is also included in
Testing several values in a single draw takes one blood collection and gives a more complete picture. The choice is yours.
Common reasons to test
When can insight into your Albumin be valuable?
Below are some situations in which measuring Albumin can provide insight.
When investigating the liver
Albumin shows how much protein your liver still produces and complements the picture given by the liver enzymes.
When investigating the kidneys
Damaged kidneys can leak protein. A lower albumin level in the blood can be an indication of that.
With questions about nutritional status
Taking in too little protein over a long period, or absorbing it poorly, can affect the albumin level.
With fluid retention
When albumin is low, fluid can leave the blood vessels more easily. That may explain swollen ankles or a distended abdomen.
Alongside a calcium test
Part of the calcium in your blood is bound to albumin. The albumin level helps your doctor read the calcium result correctly.
With long-standing inflammation
During ongoing inflammation the liver produces less albumin. Together with an inflammation marker this gives a fuller picture.
What your result means
How do we read your Albumin level?
Albumin is measured in grams per litre (g/L). The laboratory that analyses your blood always states the reference values it uses alongside your result. These differ slightly between laboratories and methods, and they are what counts when your value is assessed.
A low value
A reduced albumin level can have several causes. The body produces less of it, loses it through the kidneys or the gut, or dilutes it because there is more fluid in the bloodstream. Long-standing inflammation also lowers the level, because the liver then gives other proteins priority. What the result means in your case depends on your symptoms and on the other values in the same test.
A normal value
An albumin level within the laboratory's reference values fits a liver producing enough protein and kidneys retaining it. It does not rule out a condition: in early liver damage the albumin level can stay normal for a long time, because the liver has a great deal of reserve capacity.
A raised value
A raised albumin level is uncommon and usually does not point to disease of the liver itself. The usual explanation is thickening of the blood, for example because you have had too little to drink. Prolonged use of a tourniquet during the blood draw can also lift the value slightly.
How we interpret your result
Our doctors assess your albumin level against the reference values of the performing laboratory and in relation to the other tests in your order. You receive a personal explanation with your result.
Related tests
Often combined with Albumin.
A single marker gives one perspective. For a broader picture you can combine Albumin with a theme package or related markers.
+ €29 blood draw fee per orderFree from €225
Frequently asked questions
Everything you want to know
Do I need to fast for an albumin test?
No. You do not need to fast for albumin. If your order also includes glucose or triglycerides, the fasting advice applies to those tests; check your lab form for details.
What does a low albumin level mean?
That depends on the rest of your test and on your symptoms. A lower value can fit reduced production by the liver, protein loss through the kidneys or the gut, long-standing inflammation, or a poorer nutritional status. A single value is never a diagnosis; your doctor reads it alongside the other results.
Does albumin say anything about my kidneys?
Indirectly. Healthy kidneys retain albumin. If they leak protein, the albumin level in the blood can fall. For kidney function itself, doctors look mainly at creatinine and the eGFR calculated from it.
Why does albumin often appear next to calcium?
Part of the calcium in your blood is bound to albumin. If the albumin level is low, total calcium appears lower too while the active calcium can be normal. Your doctor therefore takes the albumin level into account when assessing your calcium result.
Is this the same as protein in the urine?
No. This test measures albumin in your blood. Albumin in the urine, also called microalbuminuria, is a different test that requires a urine sample and runs through your GP.
Can I order albumin on its own?
Yes. You can order albumin as an individual test. Because the value says most alongside the liver enzymes and kidney values, many people choose the Liver function package or build their own test with Bloodworks Select.
How quickly will I have my result?
Typically within 2 working days of the blood draw. As soon as all results are complete, you receive your report with your doctor's explanation by secure email.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No. You order the test yourself online and receive the lab form by email afterwards. You take that to a collection point near you.
Ready for insight into your albumin level?
You receive your albumin level including a personal explanation from a doctor, typically within 2 working days of the blood draw.
Order Albumin →Want to test multiple markers at once?
Combine Albumin with other markers via Bloodworks Select. The blood draw and collection fee is charged once per order, and is waived from €225.
30,-
+ €29 blood draw fee+ €29 blood draw fee per order