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Albumin and albumin & globin ratio
- 2. Albumin Most of the body’s total protein is a combination of albumin and globulins. Albumin, the protein present in the highest concentrations, is the main transport protein in the body for hormones, therapeutic drugs, calcium, magnesium, heme, and waste products such as bilirubin. Albumin also significantly affects plasma oncotic pressure, which regulates the distribution of body fluid between blood vessels, tissues, and cells. Albumin is synthesized in the liver. Low levels of albumin may be the result of either inadequate intake, inadequate production, or excessive loss. Albumin levels are more useful as an indicator of chronic deficiency than of short-term deficiency.
- 3. Hypoalbuminemia or low serum albumin, a level less than 3.4 g/dL, can stem from many causes and may be a useful predictor of mortality. Normally albumin is not excreted in urine. However, in cases of kidney damage some albumin may be lost due to decreased kidney function as seen in nephrotic syndrome, and in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Albumin levels are affected by posture. Results from specimens collected in an upright posture are higher than results from specimens collected in a supine position.
- 4. The albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio is useful in the evaluation of liver and kidney disease. The ratio is calculated using the following formula: albumin/(total protein – albumin) where globulin is the difference between the total protein value and the albumin value. For example, with a total protein of 7 g/dL and albumin of 4 g/dL, the A/G ratio is calculated as 4/(7 – 4) or 4/3 = 1.33. A reversal in the ratio, where globulin exceeds albumin (i.e., ratio less than 1.0), is clinically significant. ’s
- 5. INDICATIONS Assess nutritional status of hospitalized patients, especially geriatric patients Evaluate chronic illness Evaluate liver disease
- 6. POTENTIAL DIAGNOSIS Increased in: Any condition that results in a decrease of plasma water (e.g., dehydration); look for increase in hemoglobin and hematocrit. Decreases in the volume of intravascular liquid automatically result in concentration of the components present in the remaining liquid, as reflected by an elevated albumin level. Hyperinfusion of albumin
- 7. Decreased in Insufficient intake: Malabsorption (related to lack of amino acids available for protein synthesis) Malnutrition (related to insufficient dietary source of amino acids required for protein synthesis) • Decreased synthesis by the liver: Acute and chronic liver disease (e.g., alcoholism, cirrhosis, hepatitis) Genetic analbuminemia (related to genetic inability of liver to synthesize albumin)
- 8. Inflammation and chronic diseases Inflammation and chronic diseases result in production of acute- phase reactant and other globulin proteins; the increase in globulins causes a corresponding relative decrease in albumin: Amyloidosis Bacterial infections Monoclonal gammopathies (e.g., multiple myeloma, Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia) Neoplasm Parasitic infestations Peptic ulcer Prolonged immobilization Rheumatic diseases Severe skin disease
- 9. Increased loss over body surface Burns (evidenced by loss of interstitial fluid albumin) Enteropathies (e.g., gluten sensitivity, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, Whipple’s disease) (evidenced by sensitivity to ingested substances or related to inadequate absorption from intestinal loss) Fistula (gastrointestinal or lymphatic) (related to loss of sequestered albumin from general circulation) Hemorrhage (related to fluid loss) Kidney disease (related to loss from damaged renal tubules) Pre-eclampsia (evidenced by excessive renal loss) Rapid hydration or overhydration (evidenced by dilution effect)
- 10. Increased catabolism: Cushing’s disease (related to excessive cortisol induced protein metabolism) Thyroid dysfunction (related to overproduction of albumin binding thyroid hormones) Increased blood volume (hypervolemia): Congestive heart failure (evidenced by dilution effect) Pre-eclampsia (related to fluid retention) Pregnancy (evidenced by increased circulatory volume from placenta and fetus)
- 11. INTERFERING FACTORS Drugs that may increase albumin levels include carbamazepine, furosemide, phenobarbital, and prednisolone. Drugs that may decrease albumin levels include acetaminophen (poisoning), amiodarone, asparaginase, dextran, estrogens, ibuprofen, interleukin-2, methotrexate, methyldopa, niacin, nitrofurantoin, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, prednisone, and valproic acid.