Test Name: Albumin
Formal Name: Albumin
Other Names: Serum Albumin, Albumin
Normal: 3.5 - 5.0 g/dL. High: Dehydration (rare). Low: Liver failure, nephrotic syndrome (kidney leak), malnutrition, inflammatory bowel disease, burns.
Why Test: To assess nutritional status and liver/kidney function.
When to Test: As part of a general health check or when evaluating edema (swelling), liver disease, or kidney disease.
Test Principle: Bromcresol green (BCG) or Bromcresol purple (BCP) dye-binding method. The dye binds to albumin and changes color.
Q1: Does eating protein raise albumin? A1: Not immediately. Albumin synthesis takes time and building blocks, but severe malnutrition will lower levels over weeks. Q2: Why do ankles swell with low albumin? A2: Without albumin, water leaks from blood ve
