Albumin Blood Test: Normal Range & How to Raise Low Albumin
Also known as: Serum albumin, albumin blood test
Albumin is a protein made by your liver that helps keep fluid inside your blood vessels and carries hormones, vitamins, and medications through your bloodstream. A normal albumin level is roughly 3.4–5.4 g/dL; low albumin can reflect liver disease, kidney protein loss, inflammation, or poor nutrition, while high albumin is uncommon and usually just reflects dehydration. Reference ranges vary by lab, and an abnormal result is interpreted by a clinician alongside your other liver and kidney tests.
Albumin normal range
| Category | Range (g/dL) |
|---|---|
| Normal | 3.4–5.4 g/dLReference ranges vary by lab |
| Low (hypoalbuminemia) | < 3.4 g/dL |
| High | > 5.4 g/dLUsually reflects dehydration |
Reference ranges vary by laboratory. Use the range printed on your own report as the definitive comparison.
What high Albumin can mean
- Dehydration (the most common cause; albumin becomes more concentrated)
- Rarely reflects a true medical problem on its own
What low Albumin can mean
- Liver disease, which reduces albumin production
- Kidney disease that allows albumin to leak into urine
- Chronic inflammation or infection
- Malnutrition or poor protein intake
- Malabsorption conditions affecting the gut
What to do about an abnormal result
- Compare your value to the reference range on your own report — albumin can be affected by hydration status at the time of the draw.
- To help raise low albumin, focus on adequate protein intake and treat the underlying cause, whether that's liver, kidney, or inflammatory disease.
- Low albumin is usually interpreted alongside liver enzymes, kidney function, and total protein rather than on its own.
- Don't self-diagnose from one number — a persistently low albumin should be discussed with your doctor to find and address the cause.
Understand your own results
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Frequently asked questions
How do I increase my albumin levels?
Raising low albumin starts with treating whatever is causing it — for example, managing liver or kidney disease, resolving chronic inflammation, or addressing malnutrition, since albumin often won't rise until the underlying condition improves. Eating adequate protein (lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes) supports albumin production once your body can use it. Because low albumin is a sign of an underlying condition, talk to your doctor about the cause rather than treating the number alone.
What does low albumin mean?
Low albumin (hypoalbuminemia) most often points to liver disease, kidney disease that lets albumin leak into the urine, chronic inflammation, or poor nutrition. It's a sign that your doctor typically investigates further with additional liver, kidney, and nutritional tests rather than treating in isolation.
What is a normal albumin level in a blood test?
A normal albumin level is roughly 3.4 to 5.4 g/dL, though exact reference ranges vary slightly by lab. Values below that range suggest reduced production (often liver disease) or loss (often kidney disease), while values above it usually just reflect dehydration.
Related biomarkers
See also
Medically reviewed by Antonieta Rueda, MD and Kyle R. Toth, MD · Last reviewed July 6, 2026
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or your lab results.