Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Sign In
Navigate Up

22967 Prealbumin

Prealbumin
Test Code: PREALB
Synonyms/Keywords
Thyroxine-binding prealbumin, transthyretin, PAB​
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.  ​
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
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Diagnostic Treatment Center​ ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours ​Nephelometry/Siemens Dimension
Marshfield​ Monday through Friday​ 6-8 hours​ Turbidimetric method/The Binding Site Optilite analyzer​
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
All Performing Sites

 20-40 mg/dL

Interpretation
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. ​
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
84134​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
Thyroxine-binding prealbumin, transthyretin, PAB​
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Cerner ​Prealbumin
​COM ​Prealbumin
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
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

​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
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.  ​
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
All Performing Sites

 20-40 mg/dL

Interpretation
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. ​
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Diagnostic Treatment Center​ ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours ​Nephelometry/Siemens Dimension
Marshfield​ Monday through Friday​ 6-8 hours​ Turbidimetric method/The Binding Site Optilite analyzer​
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
84134​ ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.