Prealbumin
- Also Known As:
- Thyroxine-binding Prealbumin
- Formal Name:
- Transthyretin

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At a Glance
Why Get Tested?
Reasons for ordering the prealbumin test are undergoing reassessment as understanding of prealbumin is evolving. Historically, prealbumin has been ordered to help detect protein-calorie malnutrition and to monitor the effectiveness of parenteral (for example, intravenous) nutrition. Newer evidence suggests that the reasons for changes in prealbumin levels may be more complex and the test should not be interpreted as a simple indicator of nutritional status.
When To Get Tested?
No current consensus exists on when to get tested, although prealbumin may be ordered, along with assessments of nutritional intake, when a healthcare practitioner suspects that someone is malnourished or is at risk of malnutrition.
Sample Required?
A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm
Test Preparation Needed?
None
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The reference ranges for your tests can be found on your laboratory report. They are typically found to the right of your results.
If you do not have your lab report, consult your healthcare provider or the laboratory that performed the test(s) to obtain the reference range.
Laboratory test results are not meaningful by themselves. Their meaning comes from comparison to reference ranges. Reference ranges are the values expected for a healthy person. They are sometimes called “normal” values. By comparing your test results with reference values, you and your healthcare provider can see if any of your test results fall outside the range of expected values. Values that are outside expected ranges can provide clues to help identify possible conditions or diseases.
While accuracy of laboratory testing has significantly evolved over the past few decades, some lab-to-lab variability can occur due to differences in testing equipment, chemical reagents, and techniques. This is a reason why so few reference ranges are provided on this site. It is important to know that you must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are “within normal limits.”
For more information, please read the article Reference Ranges and What They Mean.
What is being tested?
Prealbumin, also called transthyretin, is one of the major proteins in the blood and is produced primarily by the liver. Its functions are to carry thyroxine (the main thyroid hormone) and vitamin A throughout the body. This test measures the level of prealbumin in the blood.
Although commonly used as a marker of malnutrition, research is continuing in order to better understand the role(s) of prealbumin in the body, especially the reasons for changes observed during illness, and the clinical utility of prealbumin testing.
Common Questions
View Sources
Sources Used in Current Review
Shashidhar, H. and Grigsby, D. (2017 June 23, Updated). Malnutrition. Medscape Pediatrics: General Medicine. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/985140-overview. Accessed on 6/25/17.
Delgado, J. (2016 September, Updated). Proteins. ARUP Consult. Available online at https://arupconsult.com/content/proteins. Accessed on 6/25/17.
(© 1995–2017). Prealbumin (PAB), Serum. Mayo Clinic Mayo Medical Laboratories. Available online at http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/9005. Accessed on 6/25/17.
Bharadwaj, S et. al. (2016 May 11). Malnutrition: laboratory markers vs nutritional assessment. Gastroenterol Rep (Oxf). 2016 Nov; 4(4): 272–280. Available online at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5193064/. Accessed on 6/25/17.
Dawodu, S. et. al. (2015 August 13 Updated). Nutritional Management in the Rehabilitation Setting. Medscape Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/318180-overview#showall. Accessed on 6/25/17.
Wang, W. et. al. (2017 February 1). Serum prealbumin and its changes over time are associated with mortality in acute kidney injury. Sci Rep. 2017; 7: 41493. Available online at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5286447/. Accessed on 6/25/17.
Sources Used in Previous Reviews
The National Kidney Foundation: Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative. Available online at http://www.kidney.org/professionals/doqi/guidelines/nut_a04.html.
Holland DC, Meers C, Lawlor ME, Lam M. Serial prealbumin levels as predictors of outcomes in a retrospective cohort of peritoneal and hemodialysis patients. Journal of Renal Nutrition, July 2001, 11(3).
National Kidney Foundation Work Group, Committee: National Kidney Foundation-Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative. Clinical practice guidelines for nutrition in chronic renal failure. American Journal of Kidney Disease, June 2000, 35(6 Suppl 2): S1-140.
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Larry A. Broussard, PhD. Clinical Laboratory Sciences, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA.
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Banh, L. (2006 October). Serum Proteins as Markers of Nutrition: What Are We Treating? Practical Gastroenterology [On-line information]. PDF available for download at http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/digestive-health/nutritionarticles/BanhArticle.pdf. Accessed June 2009.
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Cassels, C. (2005 December 20). Hemodialysis, Prealbumin an independent predictor of mortality/morbidity. Medscape Medical News [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/538923. Accessed June 2009.
Johnson, A. (2007). Clinical indications for plasma protein assays: transthyretin (prealbumin) in inflammation and malnutrition. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. PDF available for download at http://www.ifcc.org/media/148186/CPP%20ClinChemLabMed%20200745419426.pdf. Accessed May 2013.
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Beck F. Prealbumin: A Marker for Nutritional Evaluation. Am Fam Physician. 2002 Apr 15;65(8):1575-1579. Available online at http://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/0415/p1575.html. Accessed May 2013.
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