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Prealbumin Blood Test
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Lab Tests

Prealbumin Blood Test

The prealbumin blood test measures a protein produced by the liver, historically used to assess nutritional status, though it is now often recognized as a marker for inflammation or injury.

Overview

Prealbumin is a protein made in the liver that helps transport thyroid hormones and vitamin A while regulating how the body uses energy. Low levels have traditionally been associated with malnutrition, but many health care professionals now view changes in prealbumin as a sign of inflammation, infection, or injury.

Why the Test is Used

Some providers use the test to monitor nutritional health in specific populations, such as:

  • Hospitalized patients with certain diseases
  • Individuals recovering from surgery
  • People with serious or chronic illnesses
  • Patients receiving dialysis
  • Individuals receiving parenteral (intravenous) nutrition

Symptoms of Malnutrition

A provider may order this test if a patient exhibits signs of malnutrition, including:

  • Weight loss
  • Weakness and dizziness
  • Dry skin
  • Brittle hair or hair loss
  • Feeling cold
  • Aching joints

Interpreting Results

Lower Than Normal Levels

Low levels may indicate:

  • Malnutrition
  • Inflammation or serious infection
  • Trauma (e.g., burns)
  • Chronic illness (e.g., cancer)
  • Liver or digestive diseases
  • Hyperthyroidism

Higher Than Normal Levels

High levels may be associated with:

  • Hodgkin disease
  • Kidney failure
  • Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
  • High-dose corticosteroid therapy

Note: Prealbumin levels can be affected by pregnancy and certain medications. Because other conditions can cause low levels, some experts do not consider this the best test for diagnosing malnutrition.

Frequently Asked Questions

High‑dose corticosteroids, thyroid hormone replacement, and certain growth factors can raise prealbumin levels. Additionally, pregnancy and acute‑phase responses can transiently increase it. When interpreting a high result, consider the patient’s medication list, thyroid status, and recent inflammatory events; a single elevated value may not indicate improved nutrition but rather a physiological response.
Low prealbumin can result from acute inflammation, infection, or tissue injury, all of which increase protein turnover and reduce prealbumin synthesis. Chronic illnesses such as cancer, liver disease, or autoimmune disorders can also lower levels. Because prealbumin has a short half‑life (~2 days), it reflects recent changes in the body’s inflammatory or metabolic state rather than long‑term nutrition alone.
In acute care settings, measuring prealbumin every 3–5 days is common practice. This frequency allows clinicians to detect rapid changes in nutritional status or inflammation and adjust nutrition plans accordingly. For patients on long‑term parenteral nutrition or with chronic illnesses, weekly or biweekly monitoring may be appropriate.
Yes. A declining prealbumin trend in a patient receiving parenteral nutrition suggests inadequate protein delivery or ongoing inflammation. In such cases, the nutrition team may increase protein content, add anti‑inflammatory agents, or investigate underlying causes. Conversely, a stable or rising prealbumin supports the adequacy of the current nutrition regimen.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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