What is Albumin?
Albumin is a general term referring to water-soluble proteins found in blood. Serum albumin accounts for about 60% of plasma proteins found in human blood. Albumin’s main function in blood is to carry fatty acids, thyroid hormones and steroids. It can also be used as a binding point for some medications. If a patient is taking more than one medication that binds to albumin, drug interactions can occur.
Normal Value Range
- Adult Negative Pregnancy: 4.1 to 5.3 g/dL or 41 to 53 g/L
- Pregnancy Trimester One: 3.1 to 5.1 g/dL or 31 to 51 g/L
- Pregnancy Trimester Two: 2.6 to 4.5 g/dL or 26 to 45 g/L
- Pregnancy Trimester Three: 2.3 to 4.2 d/gL or 23 to 42 g/L
Increased albumin levels are seen in patients with glucocorticoid excess, congestive heart failure and other congenital cases.
Decreased albumin levels are seen in patients with hypothyroidism, kidney disease, debilitating disease, burns, malnutrition, protein losing enteropathy, polydipsia, liver disease or anabolic hormone insufficiency.
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