Understanding Albumin
Produced by the liver, albumin is a protein that is present in the blood, it is responsible essential body functions such as transporting hormones, drugs, and fatty acids throughout the body, it is also crucial in the regulation of blood volume and maintaining fluid balance.
The Role of Albumin in the Body
Albumin is a marker for the overall health of the liver and kidney, because it is the most abundant protein in the blood, accounting for around 60% of total protein. It is also responsible for maintain the oncotic pressure in the blood, essential for transporting nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body. Albumin also aids in regulating the pH balance of the blood, and can carry various substances including bilirubin, calcium, and drugs.
High and Low levels of Albumin
Low Albumin Levels
Lower levels of albumin in the body can indicate potential inflammation, liver damage, or kidney disease, causes of low albumin can vary and commonly include:
- Inflammation – Whether chronic or short-term, inflammation can cause lower albumin levels.
- Gut problems – Inflammatory bowel disease, which also includes Crohn’s disease, can cause inflammation in the gut leading to poor absorption of nutrients, resulting in malnutrition and a decrease in albumin levels.
- Malnutrition – As previously stated, malnutrition or an inability to absorb nutrients efficiently can lead to low albumin levels in the blood.
- Pregnancy – Albumin naturally lowers during pregnancy, due to an increase in the volume of plasma.
- Kidney Disease – Kidneys that are healthy can effectively stop albumin from building in urine, if the kidney gets damaged, the ability of the kidneys to disperse albumin weakens.
- Liver Disease – Because albumin is produced in the liver, if it is severely damaged from conditions like cirrhosis, it can cause levels to drop significantly.
High Albumin Levels
High albumin levels can be caused by three main factors, extreme dehydration due to burns or diarrhea, medications like steroids or insulin, and as a result of prolonged use of a tourniquet.
Albumin and Liver Function
The liver is primarily responsible for the production of albumin, therefore, low levels of albumin can indicate a potential underlying liver disease, conditions such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, and liver cancer can cause a significant decrease in albumin production. Albumin levels can be used to monitor how liver disease progresses, and aids in the assessment of treatments, such as liver transplants or medication.
Albumin and Kidney Function
Kidneys have a vital role in maintaining the balance of fluid in the body, with albumin levels being used to monitor kidney function. The presence of albumin in the urine is an early indicator of kidney damage, and albumin levels can be monitored for early detection of the condition, and subsequently the management of kidney disease.
Measuring Levels
Albumin levels can be measured by taking blood tests, albumin itself usually is not tested alone, and tends to be included in kidney and liver function tests, these tests measure the levels of albumin, and other markers, in the blood, to identify underlying health issues.Our Blood Tests:
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General well-being blood test
This wellbeing screen is a panel of multiple tests to give an indication of overall wellbeing. Monitoring can help indicate the body's response to changes such as the initiation of a new fitness regime or weight loss or gain plan.
View more details£90.00
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Advanced iron deficiency (Anaemia) test
The advanced anaemia screen includes tests for haemoglobin levels and a full blood count. The results of these tests can show whether you have any signs of general health problems, as well as giving an indication of your overall blood health.
View more details£60.00
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Allergy test
This FastPoc allergy test checks your blood for 20 common allergies, including ragweed, mugwort, grass, rye, birch, ficus/latex, cat dander, dog dander, dust mites, egg white, cow's milk and much more...
View more details£192.00
