Albumin

Its’ Uses: Albumin is used to screen for liver or kidney disease or to evaluate nutritional status.

Costs & Procedures: The Albumin Blood test costs €39 euro at ICIM, or is included in the Liver Function test and Bio 26.

There is no fasting required for this blood test.

Interfering Factors: Certain drugs increase albumin in your blood, including anabolic steroids, androgens, growth hormones, and insulin.

Diagnostic Significance:

Increased levels:

* Dehydration

Decreased levels:

* Malnutrition
* Pregnancy
* Liver disease (eg. Hepatitis, extensive metastic tumour, cirrhosis, hepatocellular necrosis)
* Over-hydration
* Increased capillary permeability
* Inflammotory disease
* Plasma volume expansion (pregnancy, oral contraceptives, congestive heart failure)

What should I do next?

Your results are your own. You may wish to bring them to your own GP or practitioner or you can arrange to see an ICIM medical doctor.