Included with every panel
Baseline labs come free with any panel you build.
Metabolism & organs
Albumin test
Main protein in blood; can reflect liver synthesis, nutritional status, and inflammation. Included with every panel.
At a glance
In about 5 days
Most results are ready in about 5 days. Some specialty markers can take up to 21 days.
Check before your draw
This marker has no preparation tag, but it can still need preparation. Contact us before your draw if you’re not sure.
Walk in at Quest
Your lab order arrives by email. Most Quest locations take walk-ins, so bring it with a photo ID.
What it measures
Albumin is the main protein in your blood. Your liver makes it, and it keeps fluid inside your blood vessels and carries vitamins, hormones and medicines around your body.
Why it matters for women
Albumin can normally drift lower during pregnancy as your blood volume grows, so results are read with that in mind. Lupus, which mostly affects women, can harm the kidneys and let albumin leak into urine, which can lower the level in your blood. Because albumin carries calcium, a low level can also change how your calcium result looks.
You might check it if…
- you’ve noticed swelling in your legs, ankles or around your eyes
- you’ve had a long illness, poor appetite or weight loss
- a doctor mentioned liver or kidney concerns, or lupus
What your result may mean
High Albumin: what it may mean
High albumin (hyperalbuminemia) may reflect dehydration, when your blood can become more concentrated than normal. Vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating or not drinking enough can push it up, and a mildly elevated value may come back into range once you rehydrate. A tourniquet left on for a while during a blood draw can raise it a little too. True hyperalbuminemia can be clinically rare and may not be a concern on its own. Thirst, dark urine or dizziness can come from the fluid loss.
Low Albumin: what it may mean
Low albumin (hypoalbuminemia) can be a sign of liver disease, malnutrition, chronic kidney disease or significant inflammation. It can also affect how hormones and medicines travel through your body, and it can change how your calcium result looks. Albumin can drift lower in a normal pregnancy as blood volume grows, and a sharper fall may go along with poor nutrition or preeclampsia. Lupus that harms the kidneys can let albumin leak into urine, which can lower your level too. Swelling in the legs, ankles or belly can appear, though a mild drop may cause no symptoms.
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These notes provide context and do not diagnose a condition. Not yet available in NY, NJ, RI, HI, ND, SD or WV.