Prealbumins

Prealbumin

Clinical significance

Prealbumin (transthyretin) - an assay used in diagnosing malnutrition and monitoring patientsóat risk for malnutrition. Prealbumin is produced mainlyóin the liver. In the body, it has functions transporting thyroxine T4 and triiodothyronine T3, and binds vitamin A (retinol). Decreased concentrations of prealbumin accompany the body's malnutrition states and liver diseases. Prealbumin is one of the negative acute phase proteins, its level is reduced in cancer, inflammation and infections. An increase in serum prealbumin levels is observed in renal failure, adrenal hyperfunction and also with the use of certainódrugs.

Patient Preparation

Material: Serum