Prealbumin Test-Why am I having this test?

Prealbumin is a major protein in the liquid part of your blood (plasma). The prealbumin test can be used to check your nutrition status. It checks for signs that you are not getting enough protein and other nutrients in your diet (malnutrition). You may need this test if:

• You are in the hospital with a serious illness.
• You have lost a lot of weight recently.
• You have a long-term illness.
• You are an older person and have signs of poor nutrition.
• Your health care provider needs to monitor your malnutrition treatment.

What is being tested?

This test measures the amount of prealbumin in your body. Prealbumin (also called transthyretin) is made by your liver. It carries thyroid hormone and vitamin A in your blood. Having a low level of prealbumin may be a sign of malnutrition.

What kind of sample is taken?

A blood sample is usually required for this test. It is usually collected by inserting a needle into a blood vessel. The test can also be done using a urine sample. You may need to collect all the urine you produce during a 24-hour period.

How do I collect samples at home?

You may be asked to collect urine samples at home over a 24-hour period. Follow instructions from a health care provider about how to collect the samples.

When collecting a urine sample at home, make sure you:

• Use supplies and instructions that you received from the lab.
• Collect urine only in the germ-free (sterile) cup that you received from the lab.
• Do not let any toilet paper or stool (feces) get into the cup.
• Refrigerate the sample until you can return it to the lab.
• Return the sample to the lab as instructed.

Tell a health care provider about:

• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

How are the results reported?

Your test results will be reported as a value. Your health care provider will compare your results to normal ranges that were established after testing a large group of people (reference ranges). Reference ranges may vary among labs and hospitals.

For the blood test, common reference ranges are:

• Adults: 15–36 mg/dL or 150–360 mg/L (SI units).
• Children age 1–5 years: 14–30 mg/dL.
• Children age 6–9 years: 15–33 mg/dL.
• Children age 10–13 years: 22–36 mg/dL.
• Teens age 14–19 years: 22–45 mg/dL.
• Newborns less than 5 days old: 6–21 mg/dL.

For the 24-hour urine test, a common reference range is 0.017–0.047 mg/day.

What do the results mean?

Results within the reference range are considered normal. Many factors can cause your test result to be outside the normal range.

A low level of prealbumin may indicate:

• Malnutrition.
• Liver failure.
• Hyperactive thyroid gland.
• A disease that causes inflammation in the body.
• Major injury to the body (trauma).

A high level of prealbumin may indicate:

• Kidney disease or failure.
• Steroid use.
• Recent abuse of alcohol.

Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.

Questions to ask your health care provider

Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the test:

• When will my results be ready?
• How will I get my results?
• What are my treatment options?
• What other tests do I need?
• What are my next steps?

Summary

• Prealbumin is a major protein in your blood plasma.
• The prealbumin test can be used to check your nutrition status.
• A blood sample is usually required for this test. It is usually collected by inserting a needle into a blood vessel. The test can also be done using a urine sample.
• Having a low level of prealbumin may be a sign of malnutrition.