Prealbumin
CPT Code(s):
84134
Turnaround Time:
1 day
Specimen Requirements
Preferred Specimen:
Serum
Minimum Volume:
1.0 mL
Transport Container:
Serum Separator Tube (SST) or Red Top Tube
Transport Temperature:
Room Temperature
Collection Instructions:
Allow blood to clot completely prior to centrifugation. Separate serum from cells within 45 minutes of collection.
Rejection Criteria:
Plasma specimen; gross hemolysis; lipemia; improper labeling
Stability Criteria
Room Temperature:
14 days
Refrigerated:
14 days
Frozen:
14 days
Clinical Significance
Prealbumin, also known as Transthyretin (TTR) test, is a clinically significant and diagnostically useful laboratory test that measures the level of prealbumin in a patient's blood. Prealbumin is a transport protein produced mainly in the liver and plays a crucial role in carrying thyroid hormones and vitamin A throughout the body.
The specific clinical significance and diagnostic use of Prealbumin include:
1. Nutritional Assessment: Prealbumin is widely used as a marker of nutritional status, particularly to assess protein intake and malnutrition. Low levels of prealbumin indicate protein deficiency and malnutrition, which can occur in conditions such as malabsorption, chronic liver disease, kidney disease, and inflammatory disorders. Monitoring prealbumin levels helps evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional interventions and guides appropriate dietary management.
2. Acute Inflammation and Stress Response: Prealbumin levels can be affected by acute inflammation and severe stress, leading to decreased levels. Prealbumin helps identify the presence and severity of acute inflammatory conditions, such as sepsis, trauma, or burns. Monitoring prealbumin levels can aid in assessing the response to treatment and guiding patient management during acute illness.
3. Liver Function Assessment: Since prealbumin is primarily synthesized in the liver, Prealbumin can provide information about liver function. Reduced prealbumin levels may be indicative of impaired liver function, such as liver cirrhosis or hepatitis. The test can be used in conjunction with other liver function tests to assess the overall liver health and guide appropriate management.
4. Monitoring Protein Synthesis: Prealbumin has a shorter half-life compared to other protein markers, such as albumin. Therefore, Prealbumin is considered more sensitive to changes in protein synthesis and can provide a more rapid reflection of nutritional and inflammatory status. It is commonly used alongside albumin measurements to gain a comprehensive assessment of protein metabolism and monitor the response to therapy.
5. Prognostic Indicator: Low prealbumin levels have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in various clinical settings, including critical illness and chronic diseases. Prealbumin serves as a prognostic indicator, helping to assess the severity of the underlying condition and predict patient outcomes. It can guide treatment decisions and aid in risk stratification.
In summary, Prealbumin is valuable for assessing nutritional status, particularly protein intake and malnutrition, evaluating acute inflammatory conditions, monitoring liver function, and predicting patient outcomes. It provides important information that helps guide nutritional interventions, evaluate response to therapy, and assess overall health status. The test is commonly used in conjunction with other laboratory tests and clinical assessments to provide a comprehensive picture of a patient's health and aid in appropriate management decisions.