Description of the blood Analysis:

Albumin is the most abundant protein found in blood plasma, accounting for about 50% to 60% of the total protein content. It is produced exclusively by the liver. Albumin acts as a “molecular taxi,” transporting hormones, vitamins, enzymes, and medications (like calcium and bilirubin) throughout the body. Perhaps most importantly, it maintains oncotic pressure, which is the force that keeps fluid from leaking out of the blood vessels and into the surrounding tissues.

What Does the Analysis Represent?

• Goal: To evaluate liver and kidney function and to assess a patient’s overall nutritional status.
• Main Application: Diagnosing the cause of swelling (edema), monitoring chronic liver disease or kidney disorders, and evaluating patients with severe injuries or malnutrition.
• Biological Process: It reflects the liver’s synthetic capacity (ability to build proteins) and the kidneys’ filtration integrity (ability to keep proteins in the blood rather than letting them escape into urine).

Recommendations for the Test (General)

• Fasting: Recommended. Fasting for 8–12 hours is usually requested to prevent interference from dietary fats (lipemia) in the blood sample.
• Hydration: Stay normally hydrated; severe dehydration can artificially raise albumin concentration.
• Material: Venous blood (serum).

What Can Affect the Results?

• Hydration: Dehydration leads to a “false” high albumin level because the blood volume is lower. Conversely, overhydration (like receiving large amounts of IV fluids) dilutes albumin.
• Inflammation: Albumin is a “negative acute-phase reactant,” meaning its levels naturally drop when the body is fighting significant inflammation or infection.
• Pregnancy: Albumin levels naturally decrease during pregnancy due to the increase in total blood volume.
• Medications: Anabolic steroids, insulin, and growth hormones can increase albumin, while birth control pills may lower it.

When to Take the Test?

• Swelling (Edema): Specifically if you notice swelling in the ankles, legs, or around the eyes.
• Liver Disease Symptoms: Jaundice, fatigue, or abdominal swelling (ascites).
• Kidney Disease Symptoms: Foamy urine or changes in urination frequency.
• Pre-Surgery: To assess nutritional reserves and the body’s ability to heal after an operation.
• Nutritional Assessment: For elderly patients or those with rapid, unexplained weight loss.

How to Interpret the Results?

Important: Laboratory values for albumin must be interpreted exclusively by a licensed physician. This protein’s levels are a complex reflection of liver synthesis and kidney filtration. Low Albumin: Often signals that the liver is struggling to produce proteins, or that the kidneys are leaking protein into the urine. High Albumin: This is relatively uncommon and is almost always a direct result of severe dehydration.

Possible Further Investigations

• Microalbumin Urine Test: To check if the kidneys are leaking small amounts of albumin.
• Total Protein and Globulin: To calculate the A/G ratio for a clearer picture of liver vs. immune health.
• Liver Function Tests (ALT, AST, Bilirubin): To confirm if the low albumin is due to liver damage.
• Prealbumin: A more sensitive marker for very recent changes in nutritional status.

When Does the Next Step Make Sense? 

The next step is critical if albumin levels are low, especially if accompanied by swelling. Low albumin is a strong predictor of health outcomes in hospitalized patients and often requires immediate nutritional support or treatment of the underlying liver or kidney condition. Because albumin holds fluid in your veins, low levels can lead to dangerous fluid accumulation in the lungs or abdomen.

👉 If necessary, you can discuss the results of the analysis with a specialist, such as a Gastroenterologist (Doctors – TAMC), Nephrologist (Doctors – TAMC.