Albumin

Understanding the marker

Albumin is a protein made by the liver. It helps keep fluid in blood vessels and carries substances such as hormones and medicines.

Blood albumin is affected by protein production and loss, inflammation and fluid balance. It cannot assess nutrition on its own. Albumin measured in blood is different from albumin measured in urine, which answers a separate question in kidney assessment.

What does high Albumin mean?

High albumin most often reflects dehydration.

What does low Albumin mean?

A low albumin result is assessed with inflammation, liver and kidney findings, nutrition and fluid balance. These help distinguish changes in production, loss or dilution of the protein.