Platform
Company
Liver & Biliary
Review status
Currently under review
Pending specialist review and validation.
Albumin fraction is the portion of your blood serum proteins that is made up of albumin, measured using protein electrophoresis. In this test, the laboratory separates serum proteins into groups and quantifies the albumin peak as a distinct fraction.
Albumin is produced by the liver. It helps keep fluid in your bloodstream, transports hormones, fatty acids, bilirubin, and many medicines, and reflects overall protein status. Measuring the albumin fraction shows how albumin compares with other protein groups in your blood.
Changes in the albumin fraction can reflect liver function, kidney loss of protein, inflammation, nutritional status, and fluid balance. It is commonly assessed as part of serum protein electrophoresis when evaluating swelling, chronic liver or kidney disease, unexplained fatigue or weight loss, or suspected disorders of plasma cells.
Patterns in the albumin fraction, together with the globulin fractions, help distinguish between decreased production, increased loss, dilution, or redistribution of proteins. This information guides further testing and treatment decisions tailored to your situation.
Your result is interpreted alongside your symptoms, examination findings, total protein, other electrophoresis fractions, and related laboratory tests. A lower than expected albumin fraction may reflect reduced liver synthesis, urinary or gastrointestinal loss, inflammation, or dilution from excess fluids. A higher fraction may occur with dehydration or a relative reduction in globulins.
If your result is outside the expected range, your clinician may repeat testing, review medications and hydration, and consider follow up studies such as quantitative immunoglobulins, urine protein studies, or imaging when indicated. Do not change your diet or medicines without medical advice; discuss the result with your care team so they can recommend the next steps for you.
Reference intervals vary by laboratory, analyzer, methodology, population, and units. The ranges shown here are for education only. Always interpret your results against the reference interval printed on your own lab report.
Being dehydrated or spending time upright before the blood draw can concentrate proteins and raise the albumin fraction; recent high fluid intake or IV fluids can lower it by dilution.
Albumin is a negative acute phase protein, so infections, surgery, burns, or chronic inflammatory disease can lower the fraction independent of nutrition.
Reduced liver protein synthesis or losses through the kidneys or gut can reduce the albumin fraction; addressing the underlying condition often improves the result.
Blood drawn from or near an IV line, prolonged tourniquet use, or specimens with marked lipemia can artifactually alter the measured fraction.
Recent albumin infusions, high dose steroids, and androgens can increase measured albumin; estrogen therapy and some anticonvulsants may slightly lower it.
During pregnancy and in older age, the albumin fraction can be lower due to hemodilution and physiological changes, and should be interpreted in clinical context.
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