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Test Code ALBS1 Albumin, Serum


Specimen Required


Only orderable as part of profile. For more information see: SFIG / Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) IgG Index Profile, Serum and Spinal Fluid.

 

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

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.


Useful For

Assessing nutritional status

 

Aiding in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis when used in conjunction with serum IgG, and cerebrospinal fluid IgG and albumin concentrations

Method Name

Only orderable as part of profile. For more information see: SFIG / Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) IgG Index Profile, Serum and Spinal Fluid.

 

Photometric

Reporting Name

Albumin, S

Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  120 days
  Ambient  7 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK

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).

 

Measurement of albumin in serum is helpful when paired with albumin measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) along with total IgG in serum and CSF as an aid in evaluating multiple sclerosis and other conditions where the integrity of the blood brain barrier is reviewed. The combination of these four analytes is referred to as CSF IgG index.

Reference Values

Only orderable as part of profile. For more information see: SFIG / Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) IgG Index Profile, Serum and Spinal Fluid.

 

≥12 months: 3500-5000 mg/dL 

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

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Report Available

Same day/1 day

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

82040