Albumin is a serum protein, produced by the liver. Among it's functions are:
- Maintaining water balance in the blood through osmotic pressure
- Transportation of blood components
50-60% of total serum protein is albumin, and the rest is made,
primarily, of globulins.
Increased albumin levels may be seen in:
Decreased albumin levels may be seen in:
- Liver disease (decreased production)
- Malnutrition (decreased production)
- Diarrhea (increased loss)
- Renal disease (increased loss)
- Severe burns (increased loss)
- Pregnancy (dilutional)
|
Normal Values*
| Men-Women |
3.8-5.0 g/dl |
|
Pregnancy
|
1.9-4.0 g/dl |
*These are general values taken from a variety of
sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one
type of testing protocol to another.
|