Albumin Blood Test

An albumin blood test measures albumin, the most common protein found in blood plasma. Its purpose is to ensure blood stays in arteries and veins, and helps carry hormones, vitamins, and enzymes throughout the body.

Normal albumin levels are between 3.4 to 5.4 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or 34 to 54 grams per liter (g/L). There may be some variations in the range of normal albumin levels based on the testing facility, due to which samples or measurements the lab chooses to use.

Low albumin levels in the blood may indicate serious liver and kidney problems. High levels, known as hyperalbuminemia , can be caused by dehydration and certain medicines. Your healthcare provider may order an albumin blood test as part of a regular check-up or to diagnose symptoms.

Purpose of Albumin Blood Test

The albumin blood test is done with a simple blood draw when a healthcare provider includes an albumin test as part of your regular checkup (comprehensive metabolic panel), or if they are concerned about liver or kidney disease. Related symptoms can include:

• Dark urine color
• Jaundice (yellowish skin)
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Itchy skin
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Gray or pale-colored stools
• Pain or soreness around right ribs
• Shortness of breath
• Frequent need to urinate at night
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

If liver disease is suspected, your healthcare provider may order other liver function tests. A urine test called a microalbumin test may be ordered if kidney disease is suspected. Other blood tests for protein may be needed, too, including:

• Serum protein electrophoresis
• Urine protein electrophoresis
• Globulin blood test
• Prealbumin blood test
• Total protein test

Albumin in Urine

Albumin in urine can be a sign of developing or underlying health conditions that include:

• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Cardiovascular (heart-related) disease

High Albumin

Some factors are associated with higher albumin levels:

• Dehydration in the body will cause albumin levels to be elevated due to insufficient water level
• Insulin, hormone, and steroid medications raise albumin levels.
• High-protein diet can lead to high levels of albumin.

High albumin itself may not necessarily cause any specific symptoms. However, you may notice symptoms of the underlying cause of high albumin.

Low Albumin

Albumin levels below the normal level ( hypoalbuminemia ) may be an indication of the following conditions or medications:

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD), often leading to microalbuminuria (albumin in urine) as well. In addition to urine tests, blood tests will likely involve creatinine, glomerular filtration rate, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN).
• Liver diseases such as hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver often due to viral infection. It's also seen in liver cirrhosis, a scarring of liver tissue due to chronic hepatitis or excessive alcohol use.
• Crohn’s disease is a persistent and damaging inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, Crohn’s disease leads to difficulties with nutrient absorption.
• Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which foods with gluten, such as wheat, barley, or rye, cause white blood cells to attack the lining of the small intestine.
• Thyroid disease affects the thyroid gland, which can cause immune system problems.
• Infection can lead to low albumin levels as your body responds.
• Pregnancy may cause you to have low albumin levels. You can expect your levels return to normal after pregnancy.
• Birth control pills and some other medications can lower your albumin levels.
• Whipple disease is a bacterial infection that affects joints and the digestive system, impairing the body’s ability to digest food.
• Weight loss surgery reduces the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Decreased levels of albumin in the blood may also be signs of malnutrition.

Does Coffee Affect Albumin Levels?

Some research evidence, in both humans and animals, suggests that the polyphenols in coffee consumption may lower blood levels of albumin in some people with liver disorders. Studies suggest green tea may have effects too, but more research is needed.

Follow-Up Testing

Albumin blood test results are reported in comparison with a normal reference range, usually between 3.4 and 5.4 g/dL. If you have abnormal albumin levels, your healthcare provider may request a follow-up. This may mean imaging and additional diagnostic testing if kidney, intestinal, or liver problems are suspected.

You also may need a diet and nutrition analysis and, possibly, pharmaceutical or surgical treatment. When getting your albumin test results, don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider to explain what they mean.

Keep in mind that low or high levels don’t necessarily mean that you have health problems. Following abnormal results—along with data from other tests—the healthcare provider will be able to consider the next steps in diagnosis or treatment.

Summary

Albumin blood tests can help diagnose kidney problems, liver disease, and digestive problems. They may also be part of a regular check-up. A blood sample is collected for an albumin blood test.

Abnormal test results may warrant further tests or medical procedures. Not all causes of abnormal albumin are conditions that need to be treated, though. Diet, medication, and pregnancy can all alter albumin levels.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. MedlinePlus. Albumin blood test.
2. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Albumin - blood (serum) test.
3. University of Rochester Medical Center. Albumin (blood).
4. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Proteinuria.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kidney testing: Everything you need to know.
6. Sewter R, Heaney S, Patterson A. Coffee Consumption and the Progression of NAFLD: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2021 Jul 12;13(7):2381. doi:10.3390/nu13072381.
7. Sun X, Ferguson HN, Hagerman AE. Conformation and Aggregation of Human Serum Albumin in the Presence of Green Tea Polyphenol (EGCg) and/or Palmitic Acid. Biomolecules. 2019 Nov 5;9(11):705. doi:10.3390/biom9110705.

By Mark Gurarie
Gurarie is a freelance writer and editor. He is a writing composition adjunct lecturer at George Washington University.

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