LiverReported in g/dLAlbumin
The most abundant protein in blood, made by the liver. It carries hormones and medicines and holds fluid inside vessels.
What it measures
Albumin is a transport and volume protein. The liver makes it, and a typical adult level sits in a fairly narrow band that runs a little higher in men than in women on this panel. Because albumin lasts about three weeks in the circulation, it does not fall the day the liver gets sick. It falls when production has been reduced for a while, or when the protein is lost in urine or stool.
Why it is on the panel
It is the “is the liver keeping up, and is protein staying in the blood?” test. It also changes how to read calcium, because calcium binds to albumin. A low albumin with a low calcium is often one finding, not two.
How to read it
Pair albumin with total protein. If both are low, think about production or dilution. If albumin is low and total protein is normal or high, globulins may be making up the difference. A low albumin plus a high cholesterol and swelling can point to protein loss in urine, which is a kidney story rather than a liver one.
When it runs higher
A high albumin is usually dehydration concentrating the blood. It is rarely a liver disease. The rest of the chemistry, especially sodium and creatinine, often looks concentrated too.
When it runs lower
Chronic liver disease, inflammation, malnutrition, protein-losing gut disease, and nephrotic syndrome lower albumin. Serious illness drops it as the liver switches to making inflammatory proteins. A mildly low result is something to explain, not to supplement with protein shakes alone.
How to use this page
This page explains what the measurement is for. It is educational. Your Healiam report includes the reference interval for your age and sex, and a clinician reads that result with your history, medicines, and the rest of the panel. Talk with a clinician before changing diet, supplements, or treatment because of a number on a report.
Albumin
Albumin is part of the full panel.
No referral or insurance required.
One preventive draw covers this measurement and the rest of the Healiam panel. CLIA-certified results come back in days.