Prealbumin, or transthyretin, precedes peak albumin and is a plasma transporter for thyroid hormones and retinol (vitamin A).
Retinol acts as a co-transporter. It not only carries these hormones to the peripheral organs but also to the CNS. It migrates faster than albumin in electrophoresis and is separated by immunoelectrophoresis. It has lower levels in liver disease, nephrotic syndrome, inflammatory response in the acute phase, malnutrition. It has a short half-life (2 days). It is composed of a very high percentage of essential amino acids. This makes it a marker of good nutritional health.
It helps us understand if there are diet-related problems or an absorption problem.
It decreases rapidly in cases of increased catabolism.
