Albumin
Private Albumin testing in London for £29, measuring one key blood-protein marker with results expected in around 1–2 days.
Turnaround time
1-2 business days
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Albumin Test
The Albumin blood test measures albumin, the most abundant protein circulating within the blood.
The test assesses 1 protein marker: Albumin.
Albumin is produced mainly by the liver and performs several important functions.
It helps maintain oncotic pressure, which keeps fluid within blood vessels rather than allowing excessive leakage into surrounding tissues.
Albumin also transports hormones, fatty acids, medicines, vitamins and other substances through the bloodstream.
Because the liver produces Albumin, the measurement can contribute to assessment of liver synthetic function.
However, Albumin is influenced by much more than the liver.
Low concentrations can occur when protein is lost through the kidneys, during significant inflammation, with some gastrointestinal conditions, during severe illness or where nutritional intake is inadequate.
This means a low Albumin result does not automatically indicate liver disease.
Kidney conditions that cause substantial protein loss in the urine can also reduce blood Albumin.
Inflammation is another important factor.
Albumin is a negative acute-phase protein, meaning concentrations can fall during significant inflammatory illness.
High Albumin is much less common and is usually associated with dehydration or relative concentration of the blood.
Albumin also has an important relationship with Calcium.
A substantial proportion of circulating Calcium is bound to Albumin.
When Albumin is abnormal, laboratories can calculate Calcium (Adjusted) to estimate what the Calcium concentration would be at a standard Albumin level.
Albumin is therefore a useful but non-specific marker that should be interpreted alongside liver, kidney, inflammatory and nutritional findings.
What Does the Albumin Test Check?
The test measures Albumin, the main circulating blood protein produced by the liver. This test measures 1 biomarker.
Albumin
Measures the principal circulating blood protein, supporting assessment of liver synthetic function, kidney protein loss, hydration, inflammation and protein balance.
Who May Benefit From the Albumin Test?
Albumin testing can be useful during liver, kidney, nutritional or general health assessment.
People undergoing liver-function assessment - Albumin provides information about the liver's ability to synthesise a major blood protein.
People with kidney disease or protein in the urine - Significant urinary protein loss can reduce circulating Albumin.
People with unexplained swelling or oedema - Low Albumin can contribute to movement of fluid into surrounding tissues.
People with chronic inflammatory illness - Albumin can fall during prolonged or significant inflammation.
People undergoing nutritional assessment - Albumin can provide context, although it should not be treated as a standalone nutritional marker.
People with a previous low Albumin result - Repeat testing can help establish whether the change persists.
People requiring an adjusted Calcium calculation - Albumin is used when total Calcium is corrected for protein binding.
People undergoing routine organ-function testing - Albumin is commonly included within broader liver and metabolic profiles.
How to Prepare
No special dietary preparation is usually required.
Albumin is sensitive to hydration, inflammation and illness, so these factors should be considered during interpretation.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Albumin Test
Albumin abnormalities may produce no direct symptoms, and the underlying cause is usually more important than the number itself.
Swelling of the legs or ankles - Significant low Albumin can contribute to oedema.
Generalised fluid retention - Reduced oncotic pressure can allow fluid to move out of the circulation.
Known liver disease - Albumin can contribute to assessment of long-term liver synthetic function.
Protein detected in the urine - Kidney protein loss can lower blood Albumin.
Persistent inflammatory illness - Albumin can fall during significant systemic inflammation.
Unexplained weight or nutritional concerns - Albumin may provide supplementary information within a wider nutritional assessment.
A previous abnormal Albumin result - Repeat measurement can establish whether the change was temporary or persistent.
An abnormal Calcium result - Albumin is relevant because a significant proportion of circulating Calcium is protein-bound.
Low Albumin does not identify the underlying cause by itself.
Significant swelling, shortness of breath, jaundice, severe illness or known kidney or liver disease requires appropriate clinical assessment.
Nutritional status should not be diagnosed solely from Albumin because inflammation and organ disease can strongly influence the result.
How to Book Your Albumin Test
The Albumin test can be booked privately for focused assessment of this important circulating blood protein.
Choose the Albumin
Select the individual Albumin blood test online.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw or professional home or hotel phlebotomy where suitable.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required venous blood sample.
Laboratory analysis
Your serum undergoes laboratory measurement of Albumin.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised result is delivered securely and can be interpreted alongside liver, kidney and adjusted Calcium markers where appropriate.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The current London Blood Tests turnaround for Albumin is approximately 1–2 days after laboratory receipt.
Albumin is a routine biochemistry measurement and is generally processed quickly.
The sample undergoes laboratory analysis, quality-control procedures and result authorisation.
Turnaround begins when the specimen reaches the laboratory rather than necessarily from the exact time of collection.
Understanding Your Results
A low Albumin result can occur for several different reasons.
Reduced production can occur with significant chronic liver disease.
Loss of Albumin can occur through the kidneys in conditions causing substantial proteinuria.
Albumin can also fall during inflammation, severe illness and selected gastrointestinal or nutritional conditions.
The result therefore needs to be interpreted alongside other laboratory findings.
Liver enzymes, Bilirubin and clotting tests can provide additional liver information.
Creatinine, eGFR and urine Albumin can provide kidney context.
C-Reactive Protein can help demonstrate whether significant inflammation may be affecting the result.
A high Albumin result is usually associated with dehydration or concentration of the blood rather than excessive protein production.
Albumin is also important when interpreting total Calcium because low Albumin can make total Calcium appear lower than the biologically relevant level.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
London Blood Tests provides private Albumin testing for focused assessment of this important circulating protein.
Measures the main blood protein - Albumin plays a central role in fluid balance and transport.
Relevant to liver assessment - Albumin is produced by the liver and provides information about synthetic function.
Relevant to kidney assessment - Significant urinary protein loss can reduce circulating Albumin.
Useful for interpreting Calcium - Albumin is used in the calculation of adjusted Calcium.
Can complement inflammatory testing - Inflammation can affect Albumin concentration.
Rapid laboratory turnaround - Results are currently expected approximately 1–2 days after laboratory receipt.
Professional blood collection - Clinic and suitable home or hotel phlebotomy appointments are available.
Clear pricing - The Albumin test costs £29.
Private Albumin Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Albumin testing for people requiring assessment of this major blood protein.
The test costs £29 and measures 1 biomarker.
Results are expected approximately 1–2 days after laboratory receipt.
Albumin is most informative when interpreted alongside liver, kidney, inflammatory and nutritional findings rather than as a standalone diagnostic marker.