Albumin (also called human albumin), which is in the plasma part of the blood, is a type of protein synthesized by the liver, approximately 12 to 14 grams per day. Albumin is the most abundant of the 3 basic protein types in the blood. It is effective in regulating the density of blood, which consists mostly of water, and plays an important role in the exchange between organs and tissues through the blood. In other words, albumin allows the large protein molecules in the plasma part of the blood to pass through narrow areas such as capillaries in all parts of the body and regulates the oncotic pressure.
What is an Album? What It Does?
- Types of proteins that need to leak from blood vessels to body tissues cannot pass through relatively narrow spaces such as capillaries. Albumin provides the transportation of fatty acids, which are hardly water-soluble, to tissues and organs through the blood, as well as the oncotic pressure it creates, allowing the passage of large-sized proteins into narrow spaces.
- The fluid balance between the veins and tissue spaces is ensured by albumin, which creates pressure in the vein. Thanks to albumin, which constitutes approximately 60% of the total protein amount in the blood, the accumulation of fluid in the tissues, that is, the formation of edema, is prevented. It is a type of protein found in many regions such as sweat, tears, bile, gastric fluid, muscle and skin.
- Albumin synthesized by the liver binds to oxygen free radicals, also known as unstable atoms that circulate freely in the body, and keeps these substances under control. It binds to the ions of minerals such as mercury, nickel, zinc and copper, which can be dangerous for the body, and neutralizes these metals.
- Albumin; Vitamin B6 plays a role in the transport of drugs taken for therapeutic purposes, thyroid and steroid hormones, as well as some fatty acids such as nitric acid (NO), oleic and linoleic. bilirubin that occurs during RBC) lysis It binds to water-insoluble toxic wastes such as insoluble protein (BIL) and neutralizes such metabolic wastes. Excessive sweating can also occur due to inadequate and unbalanced nutrition. Albumin reference values (normal values) are 3.1 to 5.5 g/dL. Before moving on to the reasons why the albumin value is lower or higher than the reference value range, "What is the albumin test, how is it done?" It is necessary to answer the question.
What is the Albumin Test and How Is It Done?
The albumin test is performed by examining blood and urine in a laboratory environment. Albumin test, which can be requested by the physician during routine health screenings; It can also be done for the diagnosis of diseases of organs such as liver and kidney and / or people who are thought to have problems with feeding.
Albumin test may be requested for the diagnosis of dehydration as well as to understand whether the person has a healthy and balanced diet.
Albumin test may be requested by the physician for the diagnosis of liver diseases such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, digestive problems, weight loss, difference in stool and urine color, itching, jaundice, weakness, fatigue and jaundice. It can also be performed in the presence of symptoms such as edema formation, decrease in the amount of urine, foamy urine, diarrhea, abdominal pain, swelling in the abdomen, eyelids, legs, wrists and ankles, which are among the symptoms of nephrotic syndrome caused by damage to the kidneys.What is Low Albumin?
One of the frequently asked questions is "What is low albumin?" is in the form. If the albumin level is low, oncotic blood pressure cannot be balanced and accordingly, bulky proteins in the blood cannot pass through narrow structures such as capillaries. The low level of albumin, which is generally caused by the inability to synthesize adequate amounts of albumin in the liver, may also result from albumin degradation in some cases.
In this case, fluid accumulation occurs in the body tissues, which is defined as edema. In addition to edema in the hands and ankles of the person, the hand, feet, legs, face and eyelids Swelling may also occur in different body parts such as A low amount of albumin in the blood is mostly due to liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis. In addition, excessive alcohol use may cause the liver to not synthesize enough albumin.
In addition to all these, causes such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypoadrenalism, stomach ulcers, growth hormone disorders secreted from the pituitary gland in the brain, malnutrition, long-term hunger, and being bedridden can also cause low albumin levels.
Diarrhea, blood loss, burns, nephrotic syndrome and celiac disease can be listed among the factors that increase the low albumin level. The increase in albumin destruction in the body may be caused by reasons such as preeclampsia (pregnancy poisoning or albumin disease), thyroid diseases and Cushing's disease. In addition, excessive water consumption that causes an increase in blood volume and the use of some drugs can also cause low albumin. Low albumin can lead to many symptoms. Some of the symptoms of low albumin can be listed as follows:- Weakness,
- Fatigue,
- Nausea,
- Vomiting,
- Fever,
- Muscle pain,
- Edema,
- Easily bruising of the body,
- Loss of appetite,
- Weight loss,
- Itching,
- Respiratory problems,
- Differentiation in urine and stool color,
- Increased at night urge to urinate
- Sexual dysfunctions in men.
What is Albumin Height?
Responsible for 90% of the oncotic pressure formation Excess albumin in the blood can be defined as being above the reference value of albumin 5.5 g/dL.
Albumin elevation, which is much rarer than low albumin levels; It is mostly caused by excessive sweating, diarrhea, use of diuretics and diabetes.
Excessive fluid excretion from the body, especially in the presence of uncontrolled diabetes, albumin in the blood may result in a high n level. In other words, in the presence of high albumin, which is an indicator of insufficient fluid intake or dehydration, plenty of water should be consumed and protein-rich diets should be avoided.
Many symptoms can occur with high albumin, for which a balanced and healthy diet is extremely important.What are the Symptoms of High Albumin?
The highest number in terms of plasma protein type at blood level Albumin is synthesized by the liver. Albumin, which has an important role in balancing oncotic pressure, plays a role in the transport of bilirubin and many drugs as well as fatty acids. Some of the symptoms that occur in the presence of high albumin, which can be defined as an increase in the amount of albumin in the blood value, can be listed as follows:
- Increased need for sleep,
- Weakness,
- Fatigue,
- Dry mouth,
- Dizziness,
- Abdominal pain,
- Bone pain,
- Number of urination significant increase.
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