Hyperalbuminemia: Symptoms and Treatment
Hyperalbuminemia is an increase in the level of albumin in the blood. Albumin is a protein fraction that circulates in the systemic circulation of every person. It is albumin that is considered the main protein in the blood, which is due to its functional load.
Albumin binds and transports various substances: bilirubin, cholesterol, calcium, magnesium, zinc, drug molecules, thyroid hormones. Therefore, it is not surprising that albumin accounts for up to 60% of all protein fractions in blood.
Hyperalbuminemia rarely develops, but it can characterize quite serious diseases. Therefore, with significant excess of the norm of albumin in the blood, a person is prescribed a comprehensive examination and treatment.
Content:
- Causes of hyperalbuminemia
- Symptoms of hyperalbuminemia
- Diagnostics of the hyperalbuminemia
- Hyperalbuminemia treatment
Causes of hyperalbuminemia
True hyperalbuminemia does not occur in humans. A relative increase in the level of albumin in the blood occurs with the loss of intravascular fluid.
Therefore, the causes of hyperalbuminemia are:
- Profuse diarrhea.
- Increased sweating.
- Uncontrolled vomiting.
- Diabetes insipidus.
- Massive burns with a severe course.
- Generalized peritonitis.
The level of albumin in the blood can increase when transfusing large volumes of donor concentrated protein (albumin solution of 20% concentration) to the patient.
Symptoms of hyperalbuminemia
As such, there are no symptoms of hyperalbuminemia. They will characterize only the state in which there is an increase in the level of protein in the blood. Since this occurs with massive fluid loss, the patient develops either diarrhea or vomiting. He may be thirsty and sweat a lot.
Burn disease is accompanied by burn shock and burn toxemia. At the same time, the patient's condition is very difficult, possibly lack of consciousness and disturbances in the work of internal organs.
With generalized peritonitis, accompanied by hyperalbuminemia, inflammation of the entire peritoneum occurs. The patient has diffuse abdominal pain and severe intoxication.
Diagnostics of the hyperalbuminemia
To diagnose hyperalbuminemia, the patient will need to donate blood from a vein.
Normal blood albumin values vary depending on the person's age:
- In children under 14 years of age, the albumin level of 38-54 g / l is considered the norm.
- For adults, the normal range is 35-50 g / l.
- For older people - 34-48 g / l.
If the level of albumin in the analysis results exceeds these indicators, then we can talk about hyperalbuminemia.
For the results of the analysis to be as reliable as possible, it is necessary to donate blood in the morning, on an empty stomach. You also need to give up intense physical training. In this case, the drinking regime must be observed in full.
Hyperalbuminemia treatment
Since hyperalbuminemia is not an independent disease, but only a symptom of intravascular fluid loss, treatment should be aimed at restoring its lost volumes.
The patient must observe an adequate drinking regime. For diarrhea and vomiting, rehydration therapy with the use of saline solutions, for example, Rehydron, is indicated. The drug is diluted in a liter of water and drunk in small portions. In parallel, etiotropic treatment should be carried out, aimed at eliminating the cause that caused diarrhea or vomiting. The patient may be prescribed intestinal antiseptics, gastric lavage, antibiotics, etc.
Massive burns are treated exclusively in a hospital setting. With peritonitis, antibiotic therapy is indicated. The question of the operation is decided by the surgeon.
The author of the article: Shutov Maxim Evgenievich | Hematologist
Education: In 2013 he graduated from the Kursk State Medical University and received a diploma "General Medicine". After 2 years, completed residency in the specialty "Oncology". In 2016 completed postgraduate studies at the National Medical and Surgical Center named after N. I. Pirogov.
