This document discusses albumin, the major protein in human plasma. Albumin is synthesized in the liver and plays important roles in transporting molecules through the blood and maintaining fluid balance. A serum albumin test measures the levels of this protein, which are normally between 3.4-5.4 g/dL. Lower levels can indicate liver or kidney disease, while higher levels may result from dehydration or fluid infusion. Certain drugs and medical conditions can also impact albumin levels. Risks of blood collection for albumin testing are generally minor.

3.  Human plasma protein, 66 Kda
 80% of plasma proteins
 Negatively charged
 Synthesized in the liver
 Degradation is poorly understood

4. Albumin is a protein made by the liver.
Albumin is the major plasma protein.

5.  Albumin helps move many small molecules through the blood,
including bilirubin, calcium, progesterone, and medicines.
 It plays an important role in keeping the fluid from the blood
from leaking out into the tissues.
 Free radical scavenging.
 Anti coagulatory effects.
 Acid-base balance.

7.  A serum albumin test measures the amount of this protein in
the clear liquid portion of the blood.
The health care provider may tell you to temporarily stop
taking certain medicines that can affect the albumin.
 Albumin can also be measured in the urine.
 The normal range is 3.4 to 5.4 g/dL.

8. A lower than normal level of blood albumin may
be a sign of:
 Kidney diseases
 Liver disease (for example, hepatitis, or
cirrhosis that may cause ascites)

9. A higher than normal level of blood albumin may
be a sign of:
 Water depletion
 Recent infusion of plasma or other albwmin
containing fluids.

10. Drugs that can increase albumin levels include:
Anabolic steroids Drugs that
Androgens
Growth hormone
Insulin

11.  After weight-loss surgery
 Crohn disease
 Low-protein diets
 Celiac disease
 Whipple disease

12.  Dehydration.
 High protein diet.
 Having a tourniquet on for a long time when giving a blood
sample.

13.  There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken.
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and
from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some
people may be more difficult than from others.
 Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may
include:
Bleeding from where the needle was inserted
Fainting or feeling lightheaded
Hematoma (blood collecting under the skin)
Infection (rare)

14. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/0
03480.htm
https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/albu
min/tab/test/
http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/sideeffects/
hypoalbuminemialowalbumin. Aspx
http://bja.oxfordjournals.org/content/85/4/599.full
References: