Blood albumin
What is albumin?
Albumin is a high concentration of a protein fraction found in the blood, the total percentage of which is up to 65% of plasma proteins. Its synthesis takes place in the liver. The molecule itself includes a huge number of amino acids, there are up to 600 of them, but it belongs to the group of low molecular weight simple proteins. If 40% of all protein fractions are located in the blood, then the rest of the "reserve" is distributed in the lymph, you can find it in the cerebrospinal fluid and interstitial fluid.
Albumin does not just circulate in the bloodstream, but at the same time they perform a number of vital functions for the body, namely:
- Direct maintenance of the osmotic pressure of blood plasma occurs precisely due to protein. Due to this possibility, in a person with a normal level of albumin in the blood, fluid does not leave the bloodstream and edema does not appear on the body. It is worth noting that it is these microscopic fractions and the amino acids included in its composition that maintain the plasma pressure by 80%. Naturally, for any kidney disease, they quickly pass out in the urine, which is why almost all renal pathologies are accompanied by edema.
- These blood components also perform a reserve function. They store amino acid reserves for the body's vital functions. With prolonged fasting, they will be consumed first.
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Carrying out the transport function is also included in the "tasks" of albumin, it transfers various substances in the blood, in particular, those that are poorly soluble in water. Free fatty acids belong to the "passengers" of protein, as well as steroids, vitamins (fat-soluble) and in addition some ions. Also, the protein is involved in the transport of many drugs through the bloodstream, in particular, penicillin, warfarin, and aspirin. Also, the protein fraction carries a number of hormones and combines non-polar substances, such as cholesterol, fatty acids and bilirubin. Due to the fact that the protein is unpretentious in choosing its "passengers" for transportation and carries a huge amount of a wide variety of substances, doctors nicknamed it "the taxi molecule".
This kind of "amino acid store" got its name from the Latin albus - which means white, it is a pure protein and does not contain a single gram of carbohydrates. In addition to the human body, it is very common in nature, as it can be found in chicken eggs, in some plants. Depending on how much albumin is contained in the blood, one can also judge how healthy the human body is.
The norm in the blood in women and men
As for the rate of albumin in the blood and the sex of a person, there is no significant difference. An important role is played directly by the age of the subject from whom the fence was taken for research. That is why, speaking about the norm in the blood of men and women, it is more logical to use the age division scheme. So, if you calculate its values in grams per liter of liquid, then in children under 14 years old, it is 38-54 g / l.
As for adults aged 14 to 60 years, then for them the norm of globulin in the blood is 35-52 g / l.
Having crossed the threshold of 60 years, the rate of albumin in the blood decreases slightly and is already 32-46 g / l.
If the protein rises or falls, then this can be due to both qualitative and quantitative changes. But since the former are quite rare, due to the fact that the composition of albumin is homogeneous, quantitative changes are more common, which are manifested by hypo- and hyperalbuminemia. They can be caused by both external and internal factors and signal pathology in the body.
Diseases that increase blood albumin
Quite often, the cause of an increase in albumin in the blood is a banal dehydration of the body. But not always the lack of water is a deviation from the norm.
Hyperalbuminemia is quite rare, but it is often observed with the following pathological processes in the human body:
- Infectious diseases.
- Multiple myeloma.
- Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver.
- Vomiting or diarrhea, as the main causes of dehydration, and, consequently, the diseases that caused them.
- Intestinal obstruction.
- Diabetes and nephritis.
- Extensive burns.
- Taking corticosteroids and bromsulfalein.
- Compression of veins, for example, with tourniquet.
- Cholera.
- Dehydration for severe injuries.
- Hemoconcentration.
Diseases that lower blood albumin
A decrease in this protein in the blood can also be caused by a number of diseases.
If there are such indicators, then this gives the doctor a reason to suspect some pathologies of the body, namely:
- Diseases associated with impaired liver function, such as cirrhosis, atrophy, hepatitis, or carcinoma.
- When fasting in order to reduce body weight, as well as with other errors in nutrition. This is especially true for low-protein diets, as well as nutritional schemes that are not balanced in amino acid composition. Naturally, similar conditions are observed in dystrophy and anorexia. Cachexia can cause a decrease in blood albumin.
- Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract of various origins.
- Losses associated with burns, tissue injuries.
- Nephrotic syndrome, diabetic nephropathy, as renal pathology. The losses are especially relevant in the chronic nature of the disease.
- After bleeding, especially profuse, and the introduction of blood substitutes, the level of albumin naturally decreases.
- All sorts of febrile conditions, blood poisoning, past or current infectious diseases, tumors of a malignant nature, rheumatic diseases, in a word, all those conditions that cause increased catabolism.
- With an increase in blood volume, namely hyperhydration.
- Congestive heart failure.
- Hereditary diseases.
- In newborn children, as their liver cells are not yet fully mature.
As for conditions not caused by a specific disease, pregnancy can be attributed to such conditions. The woman's body simply "shares" its own albumin with the fetus. A similar condition can also be observed during lactation. A balanced diet can help in this situation.
Often, a decrease in albumin, and in a fairly significant concentration, can be observed in cigarette lovers. So, in the blood of heavy smokers, this protein will be reduced unambiguously. The same applies to the abuse of alcoholic beverages.
Taking some drugs, especially in case of drug overdose, leads to a decrease in albumin in the blood, so they should be taken under medical supervision. In particular, this applies to aziotropin, ibuprofen group, phenytoin and others.
With regard to the study of the level of albumin, then blood sampling should be carried out strictly on an empty stomach, in a calm state. Since the samples can be affected even by excessive physical activity or prolonged stay of the subject in an upright position.
With an impressive decrease in albumin levels, below 22 g / l, a life-threatening condition such as pulmonary edema can be observed.
Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist
Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".
