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Medical Video: What is SERUM ALBUMIN? What does SERUM ALBUMIN mean? SERUM ALBUMIN meaning, definition & explanation
Definition
What is albumin?
Albumin is a protein synthesized by the liver. Through serum albumin testing, the amount of albumin in blood plasma can be measured. Albumin acts as an agent that helps the body maintain fluid balance. This protein is one of the most proteins in blood or plasma fluids. In addition to maintaining fluid balance in the body, albumin also carries important nutrients, hormones, and proteins needed for blood clotting.
Poor liver and / or kidney conditions also affect albumin performance. Through a simple blood test, the doctor can measure albumin levels and check your health condition.
When do I have to undergo albumin?
This test can detect damage to liver function or conditions when the body does not absorb enough protein. Symptoms of liver disease, including:
- jaundice or jaundice
- fatigue
- weight loss
- swelling around the eyes, stomach, and / or legs
In addition, this test can also be used to detect chronic pancreatitis, liver disease, or kidney disease. If you have one of the diseases above, the results of serum albumin test can show your health condition.
Prevention & warning
What should I know before undergoing albumin?
- the test results will not be accurate if there are a number of intravenous fluids / infusions in your body
- the amount of albumin will decrease during pregnancy
Process
What should I do before undergoing albumin?
There is no special preparation before undergoing this test. Your doctor or medical expert will prevent you from taking several types of drugs that can affect the results of tests, such as anabolic steroids, androgens, growth hormone, and insulin.
What is the process of albumin?
The medical personnel who are in charge of taking your blood will take the following steps:
- wrap an elastic belt around your upper arm to stop the blood flow. This makes the blood vessels under the bond enlarge making it easier to inject needles into the vessels
- clean the part to be injected with alcohol
- inject a needle into a vein. More than one needle may be needed.
- attach the tube to the syringe to fill it with blood
- remove the ties from your arms when taking blood is enough
- attach gauze or cotton to the injected part, after the injection is finished
- put pressure on the part and then put on a bandage
What should I do after undergoing albumin?
You can return home after testing. The test results will come out within 12 hours.
Explanation of Test Results
What do the test results mean?
Normal
Normal range: 3.4-5.4 grams per deciliter (g / dL).
Note:
The normal range for this test can vary depending on the laboratory you choose. Discuss with your doctor if there are questions about your test results.
The above example is a common test result. Some laboratories use different measurements or may use different samples.
Abnormal
Index rises
Increased blood albumin levels may be caused by:
- dehydration
- high protein intake
- too long using tourniquet when taking blood samples
Index falls
Decreased blood albumin levels may be caused by:
- poor nutrition (malnutrition)
- Kidney illness
- liver disease
- autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
- gastrointestinal malabsorption syndrome, such as canker sores or Crohn’s disease
- Hodgkin's lymphoma
- uncontrolled diabetes
- hyperthyroidism
- heart failure
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