Albumin: What Your Results Mean
Bottom line: Albumin is a protein made by the liver. Normal is 3.5-5.0 g/dL. Low albumin may indicate liver disease, kidney disease, or malnutrition.
What Is Albumin?
Albumin is the most abundant protein found in your blood. It's produced by your liver and plays a crucial role in maintaining the fluid balance within your body. Think of it like a sponge that helps keep fluid in your blood vessels and prevents it from leaking out into your tissues. It also acts as a carrier, transporting various substances throughout your bloodstream, including hormones, vitamins, minerals, and medications.
Measuring your albumin level is important because it gives your doctor insights into your liver's health, your kidney function, and your overall nutritional status. Low albumin levels can indicate that your liver isn't producing enough protein, or that your kidneys are filtering too much protein out of your blood. It can also be a sign of malnutrition or chronic illness. Conversely, very high levels are less common but can sometimes be related to dehydration or other conditions.
Albumin Reference Ranges
| Classification | Range (g/dL) |
|---|---|
| Very Low | Below 2.5 |
| Low | 2.5 - 3.4 |
| Normal | 3.5 - 5.5 |
| High | Above 5.5 |
What Affects Your Albumin Levels?
- Liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis, hepatitis)
- Kidney disease (e.g., nephrotic syndrome)
- Malnutrition or malabsorption
- Inflammatory conditions
- Severe burns
- Heart failure
- Pregnancy
- Dehydration
When to Get Tested
An albumin test is often included as part of a routine physical exam or a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP). It's ordered by your doctor to assess your liver and kidney function, evaluate your nutritional status, and monitor chronic conditions. You might also have this test if you have symptoms suggestive of liver or kidney problems, such as swelling (edema), fatigue, or unexplained weight loss.
Look Up Your Albumin Result
Select your value below to see a detailed breakdown of what it means:
Read the Full Blood Test Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
A low albumin level, also called hypoalbuminemia, can suggest that your liver isn't producing enough albumin, or that your body is losing too much protein. This can be due to liver disease, kidney problems, malnutrition, or chronic inflammation.
High albumin levels are less common and can sometimes be an indicator of dehydration, where the concentration of albumin in the blood increases due to a lack of fluid. Other less common causes might also be investigated.
Yes, your diet plays a role in albumin production. Consuming enough protein is essential for your liver to synthesize albumin. Severe malnutrition or conditions that impair nutrient absorption can lead to low albumin levels.
