Albumin is a type of protein present in blood of human body. Almost 50 to 60 percent of blood plasma is composed of albumin. Albumin is produced in liver. It is essential for various activities in the body especially for growth and repair of cells. The normal reference range of albumin in blood is approximately 3.5 -6 g/dl.
Causes of low albumin:
Anyone can suffer from hypoalbuminemia, but the level of albumin in blood is often found to be low among elderly individuals. Low albumin in body can occur due to four main reasons.
- Production is less
- There is increase is loss of albumin through urine
- Albumin shifts from plasma into extracellular space.
- If there is dilatation of albumin inside the blood vessel.
Factors responsible for low albumin are:
- Improper nutritional status: In majority of cases low albumin level occurs due to insufficient protein intake in diet. Malnutrition is one of the causes.
- Kidney dysfunction: When your kidney is damaged or if it is not functioning normally, there is leakage of albumin from the blood into the urine. Too much loss of albumin in urine results in low albumin level in the body.
- Liver damage: Albumin is manufactured in liver. When the factory itself is not working properly the production suffers. In this case it is albumin. Liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, liver cancer, increased intake of alcohol all can lead to low albumin level.
- Digestive diseases: Diseases of intestine such as inflammatory bowel disease or any other condition which restricts absorption of protein from food can cause decline in albumin level in blood.
- Heart ailments: Person suffering from congestive cardiac failure is known to have hypoalbuminemia.
- Burn Injury: People suffering from major burns always suffer from hypoalbuminemia unless it is medically corrected.
What are the symptoms of low level of albumin?
The symptoms of low albumin level in blood usually develop after a period of time, when the level is significantly low. They do not appear instantaneously except in case of burns. The signs and symptoms of hypoalbuminemia include following:
- Edema or swelling in legs and face.
- Dry skin
- Thinning of hair and excess of hair fall.
- Unexplained tiredness
- Breathing distress
- Lack of appetite
- Frequent loose motions
- Nausea and vomiting
- Collection of fluid in abdomen. The term used is ascitis.
- Loss of weight
- Stunted growth in child
Diagnosis and treatment:
Serum blood test is useful for diagnosis of low albumin level in blood. Excess of albumin excretion is also found in urine. Another test called urine microalbuminuria test helps in diagnosis of kidney damage as micro quantity of albumin is passed through urine.
Low level of albumin can significantly affect the body; hence quick attention is necessary to correct this protein. Basically the cause for decline in albumin is to be detected and treated. For example if the cause is alcoholism or dietary insufficiency this can be corrected by quitting alcohol and through sufficient intake of protein in diet. Liver disease, kidney disease, heart conditions need medicines.
Low albumin level can also be corrected naturally by eating foods that are high in protein. Food from animal source is high in protein. For example eggs, milk, lean meat, chicken, beef, lamb, fish, all are good and rich source of protein. Besides animal source, sufficient amount of protein is also found in beans and nuts, grain, etc.