Albumin is the main protein in the body. It accounts for more than 65% of all plasma proteins. Being produced in the cells of the liver, it is secreted into the bloodstream to further perform its functions. Albumin is a kind of indicator of liver and kidney diseases. It is his decline that is primarily noticeable in a blood test.
In this article we will find out what diseases are hidden behind the phrase "lowered albumin", as well as how to deal with them.
Normal blood concentration
The albumin content in the body changes with the age of a person:
- up to 14 years old - 8–54 g / l;
- 14-60 years old - 5-50 g / l;
- over 60 years old - 4-48 g / l.
In addition to albumin, there is also a globulin protein in the blood . Its amount is slightly less than the amount of albumin. These two fractions are included in the total protein composition in the body.
A condition where albumin is lowered in the blood is called hypoalbuminemia. As a rule, at the same time, an increase in the level of globulins is observed. This symptom is called dysproteinemia.
Main functions
For a complete understanding of what happens in the human body when albumin is lowered, 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 getting into the cells. This prevents their swelling and destruction. Also, this prevents the penetration of fluid into the tissue.
- Energy reserve in the body. With insufficient intake of carbohydrates and depletion of fats, albumin is destroyed for the energy needs of the body.
- Some substances are able to move in the blood only when bound to albumin. These are fatty acids, vitamins, some hormones, antibiotics.
- Maintaining an acid-base balance.
- Reducing the negative effects of free radicals on the body.
Reasons for the decline
All causes of lowered albumin in the blood can be divided into several groups:
- associated with insufficient protein intake;
- arising from a violation of its absorption;
- with insufficient protein synthesis;
- increased need for albumin;
- excessive protein loss.
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 in meat.
Malabsorption of albumin occurs in inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (peptic ulcer, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, enteritis) or in the absence of enzymes that digest protein (pancreatitis, congenital trypsin deficiency).
An increased need for albumin occurs during pregnancy.
A decrease in protein synthesis occurs in severe liver diseases due to 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 secretion of protein by the renal tubules (Fanconi syndrome).
Transient Protein Decrease
All of the above conditions, 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 briefly and quickly returns to normal after eliminating the cause. In these conditions, a decrease in albumin is associated with increased decay. These diseases include:
- acute and chronic infectious diseases;
- large blood loss;
- serious injuries;
- large area burns;
- inflammatory diseases of the skin;
- extensive wounds;
- heart failure with the development of edema;
- decreased oxygen supply to tissues (hypoxia).
Symptoms
The main sign that albumin is low is the development of edema. There are several criteria that can 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 hands, body and last but not least on the legs. They appear in the morning, immediately after waking up. The skin over the swelling to the touch is warm, pink.
Cardiac 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, symptoms occur that are characteristic of the main course of hypoalbuminemia. Since most often the cause of the fact that albumin in the blood is lowered is kidney disease, it will be discussed further on.
Glomerulonephritis is a kidney pathology of an autoimmune nature. With it, excessive protein loss occurs in the body due to increased permeability of the tubules of the renal capillaries. A decrease in the level of albumin in the blood with this pathology is one of the components of the nephrotic syndrome. Also characteristic of this syndrome is:
- an increase in blood cholesterol;
- massive swelling throughout the body;
- dysproteinemia;
- minor impurities of blood in the urine.
Diagnostics
To determine low albumin, diagnosis begins with a detailed conversation. The doctor finds out the patient's complaints, how long he considers himself sick, 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 lowered are hereditary.
After talking with the patient, the doctor proceeds to an objective examination. When diagnosing hypoalbuminemia, it is especially important to check for swelling. To do this, the doctor presses the thumb on the skin of the front surface of the leg so that the finger touches the bone. Then he slowly removes it. If the pit remains on the skin, then there is swelling.
Among laboratory methods, the most important is a biochemical blood test. To increase the effectiveness of the study, the level of albumin is determined together with globulins and, of course, the total protein. A decrease in albumin below 35 g / l indicates hypoalbuminemia.
Also mandatory are a general urinalysis and analysis to determine the daily protein. The presence of the latter in urine is called proteinuria. This is a clear sign of kidney disease.
Non-drug treatment
Therapy of the causes of lowered albumin can be carried out with the help of drugs, as well as non-drug methods.
The latter should include changes in diet. This implies 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, products that protect the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines are included in the diet. These are lactic acid products, flax seeds.
Drug treatment
If the condition in which albumin is lowered is observed for a long time or is accompanied by edema, you should definitely contact your doctor. He will prescribe additional examination methods and appropriate drug therapy. As a rule, the choice of drug group depends on the cause of the decrease in albumin.
So, 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 suffers from an infection, they are given droppers with a solution of electrolytes to restore the water-alkaline balance.
With massive blood loss, transfusion of whole blood and plasma is possible.
In addition to eliminating the causes of decreased albumin, medications are prescribed that can reduce the severity of the edematous syndrome. For this, diuretics are used. They increase diuresis, contributing to increased excretion of fluid with the kidneys.
Prevention
Reduced albumin is a serious syndrome that requires painstaking diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, it is much easier to prevent its development than to cure it. To do this, take the following measures:
- timely treat infectious processes, autoimmune diseases;
- monitor your diet so that it contains a sufficient amount of 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.