Albumin Body Fluid
What is this test?
Albumin body fluid test is used to detect the presence of albumin in the body fluids like ascitic fluid.
What is albumin?
Albumin is a kind of protein required for tissue growth and healing. It is usually present in the blood. Kidneys are responsible for removing waste products in blood and regulating water fluid levels in the body. It restores nutrients and proteins required for the body especially albumin. During kidney dysfunction or kidney damage albumin is not restored and leaked into the urine. A significant amount of albumin in urine may indicate kidney damage. The presence of albumin in urine is called albuminuria. This causes low levels of albumin in blood.
What is Ascitic fluid?
The protein-containing fluid present within the abdomen is called as ascitic fluid. The condition in which excess of ascitic fluid is accumulated within the abdominal cavity is called ascites. This condition may be usually caused in diseases or conditions like liver cirrhosis, bacterial or fungal infections of the abdomen (peritonitis), advanced stages of cancer, liver or kidney failure, intestinal obstruction or ischemia etc. This fluid fills the space between the lining of the abdomen and the organs.
Why is this test performed?
This test may be recommended to you if you experience symptoms like abdominal distension, abdominal discomfort, fever, diarrhea, low urine output, fatigue, sudden weight gain, shortness of breath, reduced appetite, etc. This test may be specially performed to check if there are any bacterial or fungal infections or not.
This test is recommended to patients suffering from diseases or conditions like bacterial or viral peritonitis, sepsis, shock, liver and kidney failure, uncontrolled diabetes etc. This test may also be recommended to evaluate the progress of the treatment or to evaluate the condition of the patient.
Also known as Alb Test Body Fluid.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Albumin Body Fluid. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Albumin Body Fluid.
No special preparation is needed for this test.
Understanding your test results
If your albumin ascitic fluid test results are abnormal than the normal range then it may indicate the presence of bacterial or fungal peritonitis, alcohol consumption, cancer or tumors in abdominal region or organs, stomach or intestinal ulcers, Kidney disease, Liver failure, Cystic fibrosis etc.
Based on the test results, your doctor may advise you appropriate medical treatments, lifestyle modifications, or further diagnostic tests, etc.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| UNISEX | All age groups | > 1.1 g/dl |
| UNISEX | All age groups | < 1.1 g/dl |