--- title: Prealbumin Test type: test id: prealbumin url: "https://www.test-well.com/tests/prealbumin-test" price_usd: 29.99 lab_fee_usd: 6 all_in_usd: 35.99 cpt: 84134 category: General Health sample: Blood draw fasting_required: false results_in: "1–3 business days" labs: - Quest - Labcorp - BioReference orderable: true reviewed_at: 2026-09-14 order_url: "https://www.test-well.com/cart?add=prealbumin-test&utm_source=ai_agent&utm_medium=markdown" --- # Prealbumin Test > Assesses short-term nutritional status and protein levels — more sensitive than albumin for detecting malnutrition, measured from a standard blood draw. At TestWell it costs $29.99 plus a $6 lab fee, needs no fasting, and results post in 1–3 business days. Physician-authorized with no doctor's visit or insurance needed; draw at Quest or Labcorp. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Price | $29.99 + $6 lab processing fee per order ($35.99 all-in for this test alone) | | CPT code | 84134 | | Sample | Blood draw | | Fasting | Not required | | Results | 1–3 business days | | Labs | Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, BioReference (NY & NJ) | | Biomarkers measured | 1 | | Physician authorization | Included — no doctor's visit, referral or insurance needed | | Payment | Card, HSA or FSA; cash-pay only (no insurance billing) | ## What does the Prealbumin test tell you? Assesses short-term nutritional status and protein levels — more sensitive than albumin for detecting malnutrition. Prealbumin (transthyretin) is a protein produced by the liver that transports thyroid hormones and vitamin A. Because it has a much shorter half-life (2–3 days) than albumin (20 days), prealbumin responds more quickly to changes in nutritional status, making it a more sensitive marker for early malnutrition or recovery from nutritional intervention. Low prealbumin can indicate protein-calorie malnutrition, liver disease, inflammation, or hyperthyroidism. It is widely used in hospital settings but is also valuable for outpatients monitoring nutritional status during weight loss programs, eating disorder recovery, chronic illness, or post-surgical healing. **Clinical use:** General health testing provides a baseline snapshot of organ function, metabolism, and key biomarkers — useful for annual checkups, preventive care, and tracking changes over time. ## Who should order it? Adults wanting a routine wellness baseline, anyone re-engaging with healthcare after a gap, and people tracking the impact of lifestyle or medication changes. ## Biomarkers measured - [Prealbumin](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/prealbumin) ## Price by lab | Lab | Test price | All-in (with $6 fee) | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Quest Diagnostics | $29.99 | $35.99 | Choose at checkout; walk-in patient service centers nationwide (not NY/NJ) | | Labcorp | $29.99 | $35.99 | Choose at checkout; walk-in patient service centers nationwide (not NY/NJ) | | BioReference (NY & NJ) | $21.99 | $27.99 | New York and New Jersey orders route here automatically | Rhode Island is not served. Prices are identical online and in the lab; no draw fee or physician fee is added. ## How much does a Prealbumin test cost? A Prealbumin test costs $29.99 at TestWell — $35.99 all-in when ordered alone, because the $6 lab processing fee is charged once per order, with no draw fee or physician fee added. Hospital outpatient labs typically bill around $150.00 self-pay for the same test, and often more. With insurance, what you pay depends on your deductible and your plan's negotiated rate; TestWell's price is fixed before the draw and is HSA/FSA-eligible. | Where you order | Price | One test, all-in | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | TestWell (drawn at Quest or Labcorp) | $29.99 | $35.99 | Includes the one $6 lab processing fee, charged once per order | | Hospital outpatient lab, self-pay (typical) | $150.00 | $150.00 | Reference figure; hospital charges vary widely by facility and are often higher | Lab test codes: Quest test code 4847 · Labcorp test no. 016931 · BioReference code 1006-6. ## How do you prepare? No fasting or special preparation required. ## Related conditions - Routine health screening (Z00.00) ## Common questions about the Prealbumin test ### How long do Prealbumin results take? Most Prealbumin results are available in 1–3 business days after your specimen arrives at the lab. You'll get an email the moment results are ready, with everything viewable in your TestWell portal. ### What sample is collected for the Prealbumin? Blood draw. Sample is collected at a Quest, Labcorp, or BioReference patient service center near you, or via at-home phlebotomy where available. ### How much does the Prealbumin cost without insurance? On TestWell, the Prealbumin is $29.99. Quest Direct lists comparable tests at $49. Walk-in hospital labs typically bill $150 or more without insurance. Insurance is not required — pay one all-in price. ### Do I need to fast before the Prealbumin? No fasting required for the Prealbumin. No fasting or special preparation required. ### Where can I get the Prealbumin done? The Prealbumin is available at Quest and Labcorp patient service centers nationwide. Order online at TestWell, pick your preferred lab, and we'll generate a digital requisition for the location closest to you. ## How to order 1. Add to cart: https://www.test-well.com/cart?add=prealbumin-test&utm_source=ai_agent&utm_medium=markdown 2. Create an account or sign in, confirm your state and preferred lab, pay by card, HSA or FSA. 3. A licensed physician authorizes the order (usually within minutes); the requisition arrives by email. 4. Walk into any Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, BioReference (NY & NJ) patient service center — no appointment needed at most sites. 5. Results post to your TestWell portal in 1–3 business days with reference ranges and flags. ## Related - [ApoE Alzheimer's Risk](https://www.test-well.com/tests/apoe-alzheimers-risk) — $184.99 - [Creatine Kinase (CK)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/creatine-kinase-test) — $18.99 - [How Your Body Processes Medications Test](https://www.test-well.com/tests/pharmacogenomics-panel) — $1199.99 - [LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/ldh-test) — $19.99 - [MTHFR Gene Mutation Analysis](https://www.test-well.com/tests/mthfr-gene-mutation) — $95.99 - [All General Health tests](https://www.test-well.com/tests/category/general-health) - [Full test directory](https://www.test-well.com/tests/directory) --- Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-14. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/reviewers/youmna-distefano-md Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/tests/prealbumin-test 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.