Clinical Significance

Measurement of prealbumin (transthyretin) in serum aids in the assessment of nutritional status. Prealbumin levels decrease in protein-energy malnutrition and return toward normal values with nutritional repletion. Increased prealbumin concentrations are found in patients with a positive nitrogen balance. Prealbumin has also been used to monitor nutritional therapy during the transition from total parenteral nutrition to oral or enteral feeding.

_{Source: Beckman Coulter Unicel, PAB IFU. REF #475106 12/22/15}