2023-06-20 10:02:25
L’serum albumin is a protein found in blood. A albumin blood test (albuminemia) can be prescribed if the doctor suspects a kidney or liver disease or if he notes a state of undernutrition (especially in the case of anorexia nervosa).
Definition: what is serum albumin?
Serum albumin is the most abundant protein in the blood. It is produced by liver cells (hepatocytes), but also provided by the consumption of certain foods such as milk and eggs.
Albumin plays a major role in maintaining blood oncotic pressure (osmotic pressure due to proteins). She is also the main transport protein in the blood. It allows the transport of small substances which, alone, would be eliminated by the kidneys, including hormones (in particular fat-soluble hormones), bilirubin, calcium or even fatty acids. It also serves to ensure the passage of water from the blood to the cells.
Albuminemia is the level of albumin in the blood.
Indications: why look for albumin in the blood?
A measurement of albumin in the blood (albuminemia) may be prescribed if the doctor observes signs of kidney disease, hepatic or of protein-energy malnutrition (nutritional deficiencies or electrolyte disorders) especially in case ofanorexia nervosa. Finally, an albumin assay is requested if the patient presents with edema.
Serum albumin assay: how is the test performed?
The albumin assay is obtained by a blood samplegenerally at the bend of the elbow. This blood test is quick and painless. He fasting is not necessary at the time of the exam. Bring the prescription, the Vitale card and the health insurance card to carry out this sample.
Serum albumin: what are the normal levels?
The normal albumin level varies according to age:
in an adult under 60: the rate is between 35 and 52 g/L; in a person over 60, the average is between 32 and 46 g/L; in a child and adolescent before 15 years, this rate is between 35 and 47 g/L; in a teenager who is between 15 and 18 years old, the rate is between 38 and 50 g/L.
Hyperalbuminemia (high albumin): what causes albumin to rise?
Most often, too high serum albumin is the consequence of hemoconcentration related to:
a dehydration;of the heavy loss of fluid ; of the prolonged efforts ; and diabetes insipidus (deficiency or insensitivity to the antidiuretic hormone: vasopressin. this condition results in excessive production of urine associated with intense thirst. This condition can be secondary to another disease or linked to a head trauma. Sometimes it has no established cause.)
How to lower albumin levels?
The treatment for elevated albumin is that of the cause of this abnormality. Thus, in case of central diabetes insipidus, the patient will be offered treatment with desmopressin or diuretics. Rehydration and rest can restore a state of dehydration …
Decreased albumin (hypoalbuminemia): how can this drop be explained?
The decrease in serum albumin can be explained by:
and state of protein-energy malnutrition (malnutriton, anorexia nervosa…). Insufficient albumin is a sign of a lack of protein. However, muscles and ligaments need protein to renew themselves. The risk is then to suffer from a state of cachexia. This results in great fatigue, pain and muscle weakness. When the deficiency persists, the body will draw on the muscles to produce its energy. This results in significant weight loss and muscle wasting (sarcopenia); a pregnancy (the level of albumin in the blood of pregnant women decreases in a physiological (normal) way due to estrogen and hemodilution); A syndrome de malbsoroption (defined by the inability of the digestive tract to absorb a large part of the substances in the food bolus which are necessary for the maintenance of proper health); a crohn’s disease ;a celiac disease ;a protein intolerance ;a insufficiency of hepatic synthesis (linked in particular to a cirrhosisa ascitesa hepatitis…); skin discharge (extensive burns), hemorrhagic or renal (nephrotic syndrome) ; and inflammatory syndrome ; a neoplastic disease (benign or malignant tumour). there Kahler’s disease ;the maladie de Waldenstrom ;a congenital analbuminemia (absence or significant decrease in albumin in the blood).
The treatment of hypoalbuminemia goes through that of its cause (alcohol withdrawal in the event of cirrhosis, taking antivirals in the event of hepatitis, etc.). Once the etiological diagnosis has been established, your doctor may also recommend that you modify your diet if a nutritional defect is the cause of your condition.
What foods give albumin?
Protein-rich foods, including nuts, meats, eggs, dairy products, and legumes (beans, lentils, split peas, etc.) are all good choices for boosting your albumin levels.
What is the difference with albumin in the urine (albuminuria)?
Sometimes albumin is measured in the urine (using urine dipsticks). We talk regardingalbuminuria. This test is done when the doctor suspects kidney disease. Indeed, albumin is normally present in the blood, but it is not found in the urine. When it does, it signals kidney dysfunction. Urine albumin testing can easily detect kidney disease, which causes few symptoms until an advanced stage.
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