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Test Code PREALB Prealbumin

Useful For

Interest in the measurement of prealbumin (PAB) has centered mainly around its potential usefulness as a marker of nutritional adequacy, however, its clinical usefulness as an indicator of liver function has also been well documented.  Its short half-life of approximately two days makes it a sensitive indicator of any changes affecting its synthesis and catabolism.  

Synonyms/Keywords

Thyroxine-binding prealbumin, transthyretin, PAB

Specimen Requirements

Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No Serum Red Top Tube (RTT) Serum Separator Tube (SST) 0.5 mL 0.4 mL 0.3 mL

Collection/Processing Instructions

Separate serum from cells within 2 hours of collection.

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Refrigerate 7 days
Frozen 3 months

Rejection Criteria

Plasma samples

Interpretations

PAB, also known as thyroxine-binding prealbumin and transthyretin, is a stable circulating glycoprotein synthesized in the liver. Because of its relatively small quantity in serum, typically 100 fold lower than albumin, it exerts only a minor influence on a normal electrophoretic pattern. At present, only transport functions have been attributed to PAB.

Reference Range Information

Performing Location Reference Range
All Performing Sites 20-40 mg/dl

 

Marshfield Labs Performing Department

Marshfield Labs Immunodiagnostics

Performing Information

Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
 
Marshfield Monday through Friday 6-8 hours Turbidimetric method/The Binding Site Optilite analyzer

CPT Codes

CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
84134   1    

Outreach CPT Codes

CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
84134   1    

Ordering Applications

 

Ordering Application Description
Cerner Prealbumin