Albumin Test

An albumin test is a laboratory test that physicians often incorporate into a standard physical exam to diagnose many different kinds of diseases and disorders. Low albumin levels can indicate liver disease, and therefore will lead physicians to test for other liver enzyme issues. Low albumin levels may also reflect diseases of the kidney, malnutrition, inflammation, shock, Crohn's disease, dehydration and Celiac disease. This test is typically one of the first examinations performed because it indicates whether or not additional testing is required to identify a condition.

The albumin test is a blood panel test. Any physician can perform one, though blood panels are typically performed by a laboratory and the blood draw by a phlebotomist. A blood panel can involve testing a single blood sample for a number of different things at once, and so during a general exam, physicians will often include an albumin test.