Albumin: normal range, high and low

In shortThe normal range is 3.4–5.4 g/dL (34–54 g/L). Low albumin points to liver disease, kidney disease, or poor nutrition; high values usually mean dehydration.

Reference ranges

Group	Reference range
Adults	3.4–5.4 g/dL (34–54 g/L)

Normal value ranges vary slightly among laboratories, and some labs test different samples. Albumin is lower during pregnancy.

Check your value

Enter the number from your lab report — see how it compares with the typical range. Mind the units shown in the chosen row.

A rough comparison with a typical range, not a diagnosis. Reference ranges vary between laboratories — check the range on your own report and let a clinician interpret the result.

What this marker is

Albumin is a protein made by the liver, and a serum albumin test measures its amount in the clear liquid portion of the blood. Albumin keeps fluid inside the blood vessels instead of letting it leak into the tissues, and it ferries many small molecules through the blood — among them bilirubin, calcium, progesterone, and some medicines.

The test helps determine whether the liver or the kidneys are diseased and whether the body is absorbing enough protein. An albumin result alone cannot diagnose a condition: providers read it together with the other liver and kidney tests, and albumin can also be measured in urine.

Several everyday situations shift the number. Albumin is lower during pregnancy, after 24–48 hours without eating, and with certain medicines such as birth control pills. It can read falsely high if the tourniquet stays on for a long time during the blood draw, and large volumes of intravenous fluid make the result inaccurate.

Blood is drawn from a vein. The provider may ask you to pause medicines that affect the test — anabolic steroids, androgens, growth hormone, and insulin can increase albumin levels — but none of them should be stopped without that conversation.

When it is high

DehydrationThe classic cause of a high albumin: when the body loses fluid — for example through severe diarrhea — the protein is concentrated in a smaller blood volume.

High-protein dietA diet unusually rich in protein can raise the measured level.

Prolonged tourniquet during the drawA tourniquet left on for a long time concentrates the sample and can produce a falsely high result.

When it is low

Liver diseaseThe liver makes albumin, so severe cirrhosis, hepatitis, and steatotic liver disease lower it; fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites) can follow.

Kidney diseaseDamaged kidneys let albumin escape into the urine, draining the blood level.

Malnutrition and malabsorptionLow-protein diets, Crohn disease, celiac disease, Whipple disease, and the period after weight-loss surgery all cut the supply or absorption of protein.

Infection, burns, thyroid diseaseWidespread burns, infections, and thyroid disease can also lower albumin.

What can skew the result

These factors can shift the value without any disease — worth considering before a retest:

Pregnancy (lowers albumin)24–48 hours without eating (lowers)Birth control pills (lower); steroids, insulin, growth hormone (raise)Intravenous fluids and tourniquet time

How to prepare

Tell your provider about all medicines you take. You may be asked to pause some of them — anabolic steroids, androgens, growth hormone, and insulin can raise albumin — but do not stop any medicine without talking to your provider first.

When a retest makes sense

An out-of-range value is read with the liver and kidney panels, and the test is repeated once influencing factors — hydration, nutrition, medicines — are accounted for.

Who usually reviews this result

A result outside the reference range is usually reviewed by: your GP or primary care doctor; a gastroenterologist or nephrologist depending on the suspected cause. Bring your lab report and any previous results to the appointment.

Names used on lab reports

Your report may use any of these names:
AlbuminALBSerum albumin test

Units and conversion

Measured in: g/dL

g/dL = g/L

g/dL × 10 = g/L. Example: 4.0 g/dL = 40 g/L. Results are rounded to 2 decimal places.

Several markers on your report?

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Frequently asked questions

Why does albumin matter for calcium?

Albumin carries calcium in the blood, so a low albumin can make total calcium look low even when the active, unbound calcium is normal. Providers read the two together.

Is low albumin always liver disease?

No. Kidney disease, malnutrition, malabsorption after weight-loss surgery, Crohn or celiac disease, infections, burns, thyroid disease, and pregnancy all lower albumin. The rest of the panel shows which direction to look.

Can a blood draw distort the result?

Yes. A tourniquet held for a long time can make albumin read falsely high, and large amounts of intravenous fluid make the result inaccurate. Mention both if they apply.

Sources

Albumin Blood Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test — MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Accessed: August 29, 2026.
Albumin blood (serum) test: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia — MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Accessed: August 29, 2026.

Albumin