CPT/HCPCS
84134
Order Code
CH172
Turnaround Time
24 hours
Test Includes
Prealbumin
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Source
Serum
Transport Container
(Specimen Container)
(Specimen Container)
SST (Tiger Top)
Preferred Specimens
Serum
Collection Instructions
(Transport Temperature)
(Transport Temperature)
Transport Refrigerated (cold packs)
Specimen Stability
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room temperature | Unacceptable |
| Refrigerated | 30 days |
| Frozen | 30 days |
Reject Criteria
Gross hemolysis
Grossly lipemic
Test Details
Methodology
Immunoturbidimetric
Clinical Significance
Assessing nutritional status, especially in monitoring the response to nutritional support in the acutely ill patient. Prealbumin is synthesized in the liver and acts as a binding protein for thyroxine and retinol-binding protein. The serum concentration of prealbumin reflects the synthesis capacity of the liver and is markedly diminished in malnutrition and other conditions. Due to its short half-life of approximately 2 days, prealbumin can be used for monitoring the nutritional status and efficacy of parenteral nutrition.
Reference Ranges
20 – 40 mg/dL
