--- title: Prealbumin Test type: biomarker url: "https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/prealbumin" also_known_as: - prealbumin - transthyretin category: Metabolic Health units: - mg/dL order_price_usd: 29.99 order_item: Prealbumin order_url: "https://www.test-well.com/tests/prealbumin-test" reviewed_at: 2026-09-08 --- # Prealbumin > Prealbumin is measured with a standard blood draw; no fasting is needed. A typical reference range is 18.0 – 40.0 mg/dL. At TestWell it's $29.99 all-in as Prealbumin, results in 1–3 business days, drawn at Quest or Labcorp. An out-of-range result is a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis. Also known as: prealbumin, transthyretin. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Units | mg/dL | | Sample | Blood draw | | Fasting | Not required | | Results | 1–3 business days | | Price | $29.99 | | Labs | Quest or Labcorp · BioReference in NY/NJ | ## What does Prealbumin measure? A protein with a short half-life — drops quickly when nutrition is inadequate. A sensitive nutrition marker. ## What is the normal range for Prealbumin? | Population | Reference range | | --- | --- | | age 18+ | 18.0 – 40.0 mg/dL | Reference intervals differ slightly between labs; the range printed on your report is the one to interpret against. Ranges are usually set so 95% of healthy people fall inside them. ## What does a high Prealbumin mean? High prealbumin is uncommon and usually benign: corticosteroid or anabolic steroid use, kidney disease (reduced clearance), Hodgkin lymphoma and, occasionally, heavy alcohol use raise it. It is not a marker of over-nutrition and rarely needs follow-up on its own. ### Common causes of high Prealbumin 1. Corticosteroids, anabolic steroids, oral contraceptives 2. Chronic kidney disease 3. Hodgkin lymphoma (rare) 4. Alcohol use ### Symptoms that go with high Prealbumin - None ### What clinicians usually check next - Kidney function; medication review - No action if isolated and mild **Does high prealbumin mean I eat too much protein?** No. It reflects clearance and hormones more than intake. A mildly high value with normal kidney function needs nothing. ## What does a low Prealbumin mean? Prealbumin (transthyretin) turns over in about two days, so a low level reflects the last week of nutrition — or, just as often, inflammation, because it is a negative acute-phase protein that falls whenever CRP rises. Liver disease, kidney protein loss and hyperthyroidism also lower it. Read with CRP: low prealbumin with a normal CRP points to inadequate protein-calorie intake; low with a high CRP points to illness. ### Common causes of low Prealbumin 1. Protein-calorie malnutrition, poor intake for a week or more, eating disorders 2. Acute or chronic inflammation, infection, surgery, trauma (CRP high) 3. Liver disease (reduced synthesis) 4. Nephrotic syndrome, protein-losing conditions 5. Hyperthyroidism, zinc deficiency ### Symptoms that go with low Prealbumin - Weight loss, muscle wasting, poor wound healing - Often none early ### What clinicians usually check next - CRP alongside — the interpretation depends on it - Albumin, liver panel, kidney function, TSH - Dietitian assessment; repeat weekly to track refeeding Follow-up tests at TestWell: [TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/tsh) ($26.99), [TSH + Free T4](https://www.test-well.com/tests/tsh-with-free-t4) ($27.99), [C-Reactive Protein (CRP)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/crp) ($26.99). **Why prealbumin instead of albumin?** Albumin's half-life is about 20 days, so it lags. Prealbumin responds within days, which makes it useful for tracking whether nutrition is improving — as long as inflammation is accounted for. ## How do you get tested for Prealbumin? | Order | Type | Price | Includes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Prealbumin](https://www.test-well.com/tests/prealbumin-test) | Single test | $29.99 | This marker | ## Quest vs Labcorp vs BioReference | Lab | Available | Price | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Quest Diagnostics | Yes | $29.99 | Choose Quest at checkout; walk-in patient service centers in every state TestWell serves outside NY and NJ. | | Labcorp | Yes | $29.99 | Choose Labcorp at checkout; walk-in patient service centers in every state TestWell serves outside NY and NJ. | | BioReference (NY & NJ) | Yes | $21.99 | New York and New Jersey orders route here automatically — state rules keep Quest and Labcorp from accepting self-ordered draws. | ## Common questions about Prealbumin ### Do I need a doctor's order to test my prealbumin? No. TestWell's licensed physician network reviews and approves your order — usually within minutes. You can place an order online without an in-person visit or a referral from your own doctor. ### How long does it take to get Prealbumin results? Most Prealbumin results are available in 1–3 business days after your specimen arrives at the lab. You'll get an email the moment your results are ready, with everything viewable in your TestWell portal. ### How much does a Prealbumin test cost? Our Prealbumin starts at $29.99. That's the all-in price — no copays, no insurance hoops, no surprise bills. HSA and FSA cards are accepted. ### Do I need to fast before my Prealbumin test? Fasting is not required for the Prealbumin test. You can have your blood drawn any time of day. ### Which lab will process my Prealbumin test? Your test will be processed by Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, or BioReference depending on which is closest to you and which lab carries the test. All three are CLIA-certified and trusted by hospitals nationwide. You'll choose your lab during checkout from 4,000+ locations. ## Sources - [Mayo Clinic Labs](https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/8519) - [MedlinePlus (NIH) — Prealbumin Blood Test](https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/prealbumin-blood-test/) ## Related biomarkers - [Glucose](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/glucose) - [Creatinine](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/creatinine) - [eGFR](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/egfr) - [BUN](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/bun) - [ALT](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/alt) - [AST](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/ast) - [Reference range lookup tool](https://www.test-well.com/tools/reference-range-lookup) - [Lab unit converter](https://www.test-well.com/tools/lab-unit-converter) - [All biomarkers](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers) --- Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-08. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/reviewers/youmna-distefano-md Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/prealbumin Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.