Davis's Lab & Diagnostic Tests
Albumin and Albumin/Globulin Ratio
General
Core Lab Study
Synonym/Acronym:
Alb, A/G ratio, AGR.
Rationale
A multipurpose study used to assess liver or kidney function and nutritional status.
A small group of studies in this manual have been identified as Core Lab Studies. The designation is meant to assist the reader in sorting the basic “always need to know” laboratory studies from the hundreds of other valuable studies found in the manual—a way to begin putting it all together.
Normal, abnormal, or various combinations of core lab study results can indicate that all is well, reveal a problem that requires further investigation with additional testing, signal a positive response to treatment, or suggest that the health status is as expected for the associated situation and time frame.
Albumin (Alb) is included in the liver function test panel (LFTs) and in the comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP). LFTs are used to identify liver disease, assess severity of injury, or monitor disease process and response to treatment. CMPs are used as a general health screen to identify or monitor conditions such as bone disease, diabetes, electrolyte imbalance, hypertension, kidney disease, liver disease, or malnutrition.
Patient Preparation
There are no food, fluid, activity, or medication restrictions unless by medical direction.
Normal Findings
(Method: Spectrophotometry).
| Age | Conventional Units | SI Units (Conventional Units × 10) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 2.6–3.6 g/dL | 26–36 g/L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Child | 3.4–5.2 g/dL | 34–42 g/L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adult | 3.7–5.1 g/dL | 37–51 g/L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pregnant female (st trimester) | 3.1–5.1 g/dL | 31–51 g/L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pregnant female (2nd trimester) | 2.6–4.5 g/dL | 26–45 g/L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pregnant female (3rd trimester) | 2.3–4.2 g/dL | 23–42 g/L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Older Adult | 3.2–4.6 g/dL | 32–46 g/L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greater than 90 yr | 2.9–4.5 g/dL | 29–45 g/L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Normally, the A/G ratio is greater than 1. Albumin levels are affected by posture. Results from specimens collected in an upright posture are higher than results from specimens collected in a supine position. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Critical Findings and Potential Interventions
N/A
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