Test Price
1,800 AED✅ Home Collection Available
Prealbumin (Transthyretin) Test in Dubai, UAE | Clinical Chemistry & Nutritional Marker
Executive Summary & Core Metrics
Executive Summary
- Accuracy Guarantee: 99.9% Diagnostic Sensitivity via ISO Accredited Processing.
- Premium Logistics: VIP Mobile Phlebotomy & Temperature-Controlled Cold-Chain Home Collection (available daily 8 AM – 11 PM).
- Clinical Guidance: Telephonic Post-Test Clinical Guidance in result interpretation provided by Dr. Ajay Singh (GP, DHA ID: 36234132).
- Insurance: Direct Billing Verification via WhatsApp +971 54 548 8731.
The Prealbumin (Transthyretin) test is a high-sensitivity clinical chemistry assay for acute protein-energy malnutrition screening. It is performed under DHA Facility License 1143 at DNA Labs UAE, Dubai Healthcare City. Home collection follows ISO-certified cold-chain protocols for specimen integrity.
Test Overview & Methodology
Prealbumin (transthyretin) is a hepatic protein with a short half‑life of approximately 2–3 days, making it a sensitive, real‑time marker for acute nutritional changes and protein‑energy malnutrition. Unlike albumin, which responds over weeks, prealbumin levels decline rapidly within days of inadequate dietary intake. This allows clinicians to detect malnutrition early, monitor nutritional rehabilitation, and assess the effectiveness of enteral or parenteral feeding regimens in hospitalised and outpatient settings across the UAE.
| Parameter | Our Prealbumin Test | Closest Alternative (Albumin) |
|---|---|---|
| Methodology | Nephelometry (High Specificity) | Bromocresol Green (BCG) |
| Clinical Sensitivity | Responds within 2–3 days of intake change | Responds over 14–20 days |
| Turnaround Time | 2–3 weeks (send‑out; sample by 7th of month) | Same day in‑house |
| Best Application | Early malnutrition detection, insurance medical exams | General protein status, long‑term monitoring |
Physician Insight & Safety Protocols
Note from Dr. Ajay Singh, General Practitioner (DHA Registration ID: 36234132): “I understand that lab results can raise concerns. Prealbumin is a supportive tool – it must be interpreted together with your clinical history, weight trends, and other tests. Never make dietary or medication decisions based solely on a single biomarker. Please consult your treating physician for personalised advice.”
1. Medication Advisory – Do Not Self-Adjust Prescribed Therapies
Do not discontinue or modify any prescribed medication without consulting your treating doctor. Changes in dietary intake can alter drug metabolism and efficacy, potentially compromising treatment outcomes. Always seek medical guidance before making nutritional or therapeutic adjustments.
2. Safety Exclusion Criteria & Emergency Red Flags
- Exclusion Criteria: Active infection, systemic inflammation, severe hepatic disease, high‑dose corticosteroid therapy, and pregnancy may falsely alter prealbumin levels. Inform your physician of any of these conditions before testing.
- Emergency Red Flags: If you experience rapid unintentional weight loss (≥5% in one month), persistent vomiting, jaundice, or confusion, do not wait for lab results – seek immediate emergency care at the nearest hospital.
Patient FAQ & Clinical Guidance
1. What is a prealbumin blood test?
Answer: The prealbumin test quantifies transthyretin protein in the blood to detect protein‑calorie malnutrition early and monitor the effectiveness of nutritional therapy. Because prealbumin has a short half‑life, levels drop within days of inadequate intake, offering a real‑time picture of acute nutritional status.
2. Why is prealbumin testing ordered in the UAE?
Answer: UAE physicians order prealbumin tests to screen for malnutrition in chronic disease management, insurance medical examinations, and pre‑employment health assessments. It is also used to track nutritional recovery in hospitalised patients receiving enteral or parenteral feeding.
3. What does a low prealbumin result indicate?
Answer: A low prealbumin level typically reflects acute protein‑energy malnutrition, an inflammatory response, liver impairment, or insufficient recent dietary intake. It does not diagnose a specific disease; clinical correlation with a healthcare provider is essential for accurate interpretation.
4. How should I prepare for the test?
Answer: No special fasting is required. However, inform your physician about any supplements, medications (especially corticosteroids), or existing medical conditions. A duly filled Send Out Consent Form (Form 35) is mandatory before sample collection.
UAE Regulatory & Data Privacy Adherence
Compliance & Accreditation: ISO 9001:2015 Certified (Cert: INT/EGQ/2509DA/3139). DHA Facility License: 1143 (MOHAP Approved). The test strictly adheres to Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection (PDPL) and Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 Concerning the Use of Information and Communication Technology in Health Fields for all data handling and health information privacy. Clinical safety and patient consent follow Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability. All sample transport complies with cold‑chain protocol (2–8°C).
Mandatory Pre-Test: Duly filled Send Out Consent Form (Form 35) is required. For appointment or insurance verification, WhatsApp: +971 54 548 8731 (Home collection available 8 AM – 11 PM daily).
Clinical & Logistical Metadata
| Test Name | Prealbumin (Transthyretin) – Serum |
| Price (AED) | 1,800 AED |
| Turnaround Time | 2–3 weeks (Send-out test; samples processed monthly by the 7th) |
| Sample Type / Matrix | Blood (Serum) – Standard peripheral venipuncture |
| Methodology Used | Nephelometry (High Specificity Immunoassay) |
| ICD-10-CM Code | E44.0 (Moderate protein-energy malnutrition), Z13.89 (Screening for other disorder) |
| LOINC Code | 7583-9 (Prealbumin [Mass/volume] in Serum or Plasma) |
| DHA Facility License & Laboratory Address | DHA License: 1143 | Premises 105, Floor 1, Building 33, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, UAE | DNA Labs UAE |
دعم ثنائي اللغة متاح
التحقق من التغطية التأمينية
Check Insurance Coverage Instantly
Stop the guesswork. Send a photo of your Insurance Card and Doctor's Prescription to our DHA-Certified Verification Team on WhatsApp.
توقف عن التخمين. أرسل صورة من بطاقة التأمين ووصفة الطبيب إلى فريق التحقق المعتمد من هيئة الصحة بدبي عبر الواتساب. احصل على تحديث الحالة في دقائق.
Available in Arabic, English, Hindi & Urdu
ISMS 27001:2022
ISO Accredited
HIPAA
All reports reviewed by DHA-Certified physicians