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HelpTest ID PALB Prealbumin, Serum
Reporting Name
Prealbumin (PAB), SUseful For
Assessing nutritional status, especially in monitoring the response to nutritional support in the acutely ill patient
Specimen Type
SerumOrdering Guidance
This is an immunologic protein measurement. For thyroxine-binding measurement of prealbumin, see TBPE / Thyroxine-Binding Protein Electrophoresis, Serum.
Specimen Required
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days |
| Frozen | 28 days | |
| Ambient | 14 days |
Reference Values
≤18 years: 12-32 mg/dL
>18 years: 19-38 mg/dL
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
84134
Clinical Information
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.
Interpretation
Results below the reference intervals for adults and pediatric patients may suggest protein depletion.
Clinical correlation recommended with patient status and other nutritional markers.
Cautions
No significant cautionary statements
Clinical Reference
1. Haider M, Haider SQ: Assessment of protein-calorie malnutrition. Clin Chem 1984;30:1286-1299
2. Grant JP, Custer PB, Thurlow J: Current techniques of nutritional assessment. Surg Clin North Am 1981;61:437-463
3. Bernstein LH, Leukhardt-Fairfield CJ, Pleban W, et al: Usefulness of data on albumin and prealbumin concentrations in determining effectiveness of nutritional support. Clin Chem 1989;35:271-274
4. Kanakoudi F, Drossou V, Tzimouli V, et al: Serum concentrations of 10 acute-phase proteins in healthy term and pre-term infants from birth to age 6 months. Clin Chem 1995;41:605-608
5. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. Sixth edition. Edited by N Rafai, AR Horvath, CT Wittwer. Elsevier, 2018
Method Description
In this Siemens Nephelometer II method, the light scattered onto the antigen-antibody complexes is measured. The intensity of the measured scattered light is proportional to the amount of antigen-antibody complexes in the sample under certain conditions. If the antibody volume is kept constant, the signal behaves proportionally to the antigen volume.
A reference curve is generated by a standard with a known antigen content on which the scattered light signals of the samples can be evaluated and calculated as an antigen concentration. Antigen-antibody complexes are formed when a sample containing antigen and the corresponding antiserum are put into a cuvette. A light beam is generated with a light emitting diode (LED), which is transmitted through the cuvette. The light is scattered onto the immuno-complexes that are present. Antigen and antibody are mixed in the initial measurement, but no complex is formed yet. An antigen-antibody complex is formed in the final measurement.
The result is calculated by subtracting value of the final measurement from the initial measurement. The distribution of intensity of the scattered light depends on the ratio of the particle size of the antigen-antibody complexes to the radiated wavelength.(Siemens Nephelometer II Operations Instruction Manual, Siemens, Inc., Newark, DE, Version 2.3, 2008; Addendum to the Instruction Manual 2.3, 08/2017)
Report Available
1 to 3 daysReject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | OK |
NY State Approved
YesMethod Name
Nephelometry