Albumin is the body's main protein. It makes up more than 65% of all plasma proteins. Produced in the liver cells, it is released into the bloodstream in order to continue to perform its functions. Albumin is a kind of indicator of diseases of the liver and kidneys. It is its decrease that is primarily noticeable in the blood test.
In this article we will find out what diseases are hidden behind the phrase "low albumin" and how to deal with them.
Normal blood concentration
The content of albumin in the body changes with a person's age:
- under 14 - 38–54 g/l;
- 14-60 years - 35-50g/l;
- over 60 - 34-48 g/l.
In addition to albumin, the blood also contains the protein globulin. Its amount is slightly less than the amount of albumin. It is these two fractions that are included in the overall composition of the protein in the body.
The condition when albumin is low in the blood is called hypoalbuminemia. Usually at the sametime there is an increase in the level of globulins. This symptom is called dysproteinemia.
Main Functions
To fully understand what happens in the human body when albumins are low, it is necessary to find out the role of this protein structure. Its main functions are presented below:
- Regulation of osmotic pressure, due to which blood flows through the vascular bed without entering the cells. This prevents their swelling and destruction. It also prevents liquid from penetrating the tissue.
- Reserve energy in the body. With insufficient intake of carbohydrates and depletion of fats, albumins are destroyed for the energy needs of the body.
- Some substances are able to move in the blood only when bound to albumins. These are fatty acids, vitamins, some hormones, antibiotics.
- Maintaining acid-base balance.
- Reduce the negative effects of free radicals on the body.
Reason for decline
All causes of low albumin in the blood can be divided into several groups:
- associated with inadequate protein intake;
- resulting from malabsorption;
- with insufficient protein synthesis;
- increased need for albumin;
- excessive loss of protein.
Insufficient intake of protein in the body occurs, as a rule, with too strict diets and starvation. Also, this problem is typical for vegetarians, since the largest amount of protein is found inmeat.
Albumin malabsorption occurs in inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (duodenal ulcer, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, enteritis) or protein-digesting enzyme deficiency (pancreatitis, congenital trypsin deficiency).
Increased need for albumin occurs during pregnancy.
Decrease in protein synthesis occurs in severe liver diseases against the background of the development of liver failure. This is possible with hepatitis of various etiologies, alcoholic cirrhosis, primary biliary cirrhosis (genetic pathology).
Too much protein loss is possible in several cases:
- excessive excretion of albumin in the urine with increased permeability of the capillaries of the kidneys (glomerulonephritis);
- with excessive protein secretion by the renal tubules (Fanconi syndrome).
Transient decrease in protein levels
All of the above states, when albumin is lowered, are characterized by their duration. Most of them require long-term treatment. But there are cases when the protein level decreases for a short time and quickly returns to normal after the cause is eliminated. Under these conditions, the decrease in albumin is associated with their enhanced decay. These diseases include:
- acute and chronic infectious diseases;
- great blood loss;
- serious injuries;
- large area burns;
- inflammatory diseases of the skin;
- extensive wounds;
- heartyinsufficiency with the development of edema;
- decrease in oxygen supply to tissues (hypoxia).
Symptoms
The main sign that albumin is low is the development of edema. There are several criteria that help distinguish edema with a reduced amount of protein from those that develop with heart failure. The first is characterized by the appearance, starting from above: under the eyes, on the face, then on the arms, torso and last of all on the legs. They appear in the morning, immediately after waking up. The skin over the edema is warm and pink to the touch.
Heart edema appears at the end of the day. In the initial stages, they develop on the legs, only in rare cases they reach the face. The skin above them is cold, cyanotic.
In addition to edema, there are symptoms characteristic of the main course of hypoalbuminemia. Since most often the reason that albumins in the blood are lowered is kidney disease, then it will be discussed further about it.
Glomerulonephritis is a pathology of the kidneys of an autoimmune nature. With it, there is an excessive loss of protein in the body due to increased permeability of the tubules of the renal capillaries. A decrease in the level of albumin in the blood in this pathology is one of the components of the nephrotic syndrome. This syndrome is also characterized by:
- increased blood cholesterol levels;
- massive swelling throughout the body;
- dysproteinemia;
- minor blood in urine.
Diagnosis
To determine the reducedalbumin diagnosis begins with a detailed conversation. The doctor finds out the patient's complaints, how long he considers himself ill, how the symptoms developed. You also need to find out what diseases the next of kin had, since some of the reasons that albumin is low are hereditary.
After talking with the patient, the doctor proceeds to an objective examination. When diagnosing hypoalbuminemia, it is especially important to check for edema. To do this, the doctor presses his thumb on the skin of the anterior surface of the lower leg so that the finger touches the bone. Then he slowly removes it. If a hole remains on the skin, then there is swelling.
Among laboratory methods, the most important is a biochemical blood test. To improve the efficiency of the study, the level of albumin is determined together with globulins and, of course, total protein. A decrease in albumin below 35 g/l indicates hypoalbuminemia.
Also mandatory are a general urine test and an analysis to determine the daily protein. The presence of the latter in the urine is called proteinuria. This is a clear sign of kidney disease.
Non-drug treatment
The causes of low albumin can be treated with drugs as well as non-drug methods.
The latter should include dietary changes. This means eating foods that are high in protein. These are products such as:
- beef;
- mushrooms;
- chicken eggs;
- cottage cheese;
- hard cheese;
- seafood;
- fish;
- legumes;
- potatoes.
If inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are diagnosed, the diet includes foods that protect the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. These are lactic acid products, flax seeds.
Medicated treatment
If a condition in which albumin is lowered is observed for a long time or is accompanied by edema, you should definitely consult your doctor. He will prescribe additional methods of examination and appropriate drug therapy. As a rule, the choice of drug group depends on the cause of the decrease in albumin.
Thus, with damage to the kidneys and liver of an autoimmune nature, glucocorticoids and cytostatics are prescribed. They inhibit the immune response and the production of antibodies directed against the cells of their own body.
In the presence of viral hepatitis, antiviral drugs, hepatoprotectors are prescribed.
If the patient is suffering from an infection, he is put on drips with an electrolyte solution to restore the water-alkaline balance.
With massive blood loss, whole blood and plasma transfusions are possible.
In addition to eliminating the cause of low albumin, medications are prescribed that can reduce the severity of edematous syndrome. For this, diuretics are used. They increase diuresis, helping to increase fluid excretion with the kidneys.
Prevention
Reduced albumin is a serioussyndrome requiring painstaking diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, it is much easier to prevent its development than to cure it. To do this, take the following steps:
- timely treat infectious processes, autoimmune diseases;
- make sure your diet contains enough protein;
- regularly (at least once a year) undergo a medical examination, passing a biochemical blood test to determine the level of protein.
If you follow these simple rules, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing hypoalbuminemia.
