Albumin-Protein Check

ALBUMIN

Question 1. What is albumin? 

Albumin is a major protein synthesized in the liver. It has a number of important functions in the body. It maintains fluid pressure within blood vessel (intravascular) relative to outside blood vessels (interstitium) so no net fluid movement occurs to prevent limb oedema, ascites and pulmonary oedema. Albumin is also a major carrier protein in blood for transport of electrolytes (calcium), hormones, bilirubin, and medications in blood.

Question 2. Why is albumin measured?

Albumin is measured as part of assessment of nutritional status, health of liver as in liver function testing and in investigation nephrotic syndrome (kidneys lose excess protein in urine) and mal-absorption (chronic diarrhoea). Blood albumin is low in all these disorders.

Question 3. How do I know that I may have low albumin?

Signs of low albumin include;

Swollen legs, ankles & eyes

Abdominal swelling

Ascites (fluid inside abdomen)

Low blood pressure

signs of jaundice, including yellow skin or eyes.

feelings of weakness or exhaustion.

rapid heartbeat.

vomiting, diarrhoea, and nausea.

appetite changes.

thinning hair

Question 4. When is albumin level checked?

Albumin is measured as part of liver function test. The following are common reasons for performing albumin test:

Assessing nutritional status of patient (weight loss)

Checking liver function (jaundiced & oedema)

Investigation nephrotic syndrome

In mal-absorption syndrome (chronic diarrhoea)

Patients have signs of low albumin as above

Investigation calcium metabolism disorders (see calcium test)

Question 5. What are the causes of high albumin?

Liver Failure

Loss in urine (nephrotic syndrome)

Starvation

Malnutrition

Loss in stool (chronic diarrhoea)

Extensive skin Burn

Mal-absorption (worms, infections, inflammations)

Inflammatory bowel diseases (celiac disease and crohn’s disease)

Question 6. What is the danger of low albumin?

Low albumin cause fluid movement outside blood vessels into tissue, lower blood pressure and patients can develop heart and kidney failure. It allows fluid to accumulate in tissues and cause tissue swelling or oedema, interfere with cell metabolism and can infection. Its function to transport hormones and calcium will be affected and patient present with variety of complaints related to it.

Question 7. What is the cause of high albumin?

One should not be alarmed with high albumin as it lacks any clinical significant in medicine. Usually happens in some patients with dehydration or rarely in presence of abnormal albumin. Check with your doctor for interpretation.