Albumin examination: functions, procedures, and reading results

Definition

What is albumin check?

Albumin check is a test that aims to find out how much albumin is in the blood, as well as check the health condition of the body.

Albumin is the protein that makes up most of blood plasma, which is about 60 percent. The process of albumin formation is a body mechanism that is carried out by the liver (liver).

Disorders of the liver and kidneys can also affect albumin levels in the blood. The condition of your body after surgery or having an open wound can increase your chances of having a low albumin count. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the albumin levels in your body are always optimal.

When do I need to have an albumin check?

If your body shows indications of an imbalance in albumin levels, your doctor will usually recommend checking for albumin. Some signs that indicate a decrease in albumin levels are as follows:

• Weight loss drastically.
• Swelling in certain locations on the body, such as the stomach (ascites), eyes, and feet.
• Experiencing jaundice (jaundice).
• Severe fatigue that can interfere with daily activities.

Doctors can also use tests to measure the levels of this protein in the blood to detect other health problems, such as kidney disease or chronic pancreatitis.

The results of the examination will be useful in helping the doctor determine the type of treatment that suits your body condition. In fact, it can help see how far the disease has progressed after undergoing treatment.

Precautions & Warnings

What should I know before undergoing an albumin check?

It's best to tell your doctor about your history, condition, and health-related habits. The reason is, certain things can more or less affect the results of the albumin examination you do.

Do not rule out, these results are less accurate so it is difficult to give a full picture of your health condition. Some things that must be considered before checking albumin are as follows:

• The results of the albumin test will not be accurate if you get intravenous fluids, or drink large amounts of water.
• The amount of albumin in the blood can decrease during pregnancy.
• The consumption of several types of drugs can affect albumin levels.

Process

What should I do before undergoing an albumin check?

There is no special preparation before undergoing albumin examination. The doctor may do a clinical examination first, to check the overall health condition of your body.

As a suggestion, you might do the following:

• Ask the doctor to explain the albumin examination procedure in more detail, ask what you should do or avoid before doing the examination.
• Avoid certain medications, such as insulin, anabolic steroids, and growth hormone. Your doctor or medical officer will ask you to avoid taking certain types of drugs that have the risk of affecting the test results.
• Tell your doctor if you are regularly taking certain types of medication. Your doctor may advise you to change the dose of the drug, or recommend that you stop taking it before testing.
• Do not make any changes to your medication or the dose you take with your medication, unless ordered by your doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you have certain health conditions.
• Tell your doctor if you are a heavy alcohol user, have an infection from a tattoo, or have previously received someone else's blood

Basically, there is no certain dietary restrictions before doing a test to check the levels of this protein in the blood. However, your doctor may ask you to avoid certain foods and drinks before a few hours before the test for some reason.

How is the albumin checking process?

The procedure is almost like doing blood donation or taking blood from one part of the body. If you have had any other tests that involve drawing blood, you may be familiar with the procedure.

Your blood will be drawn according to the required amount, it can be medium size or even larger. The medical staff will draw blood from a vein in the crease of your arm.

The blood sample is then collected in a tube and then taken to the laboratory for in-depth analysis.

What should I do after undergoing this examination?

Broadly speaking, the process of checking serum albumin does not take long. As with before undergoing the albumin examination test, there are no specific rules that you must do afterwards as well.

The doctor will usually let you go home immediately after undergoing a series of tests.

If you have a history of certain health conditions, or are often dizzy after having a blood test, it's best to give a break first. Make sure that your body is completely stable when you return home.

Test Results

What do my test results mean?

Albumin examination is a series of tests, one of which functions to check the function of the liver and kidneys, and is done at one time. This blood test can help your doctor determine the cause of your symptoms, as well as make an accurate diagnosis.

1. Normal

Normal blood albumin levels should be in the range 3.4-5.4 (g / dL).

The normal range for albumin testing may vary depending on the laboratory and health service you choose. Discuss with your doctor if you have any questions about your test results.

2. Abnormal

High albumin

The increased albumin index is also known as a hyperalbuminemia condition. Quoted from the Mount Sinai Hospital website, increased albumin levels in the blood can be caused by:

• Severe diarrhea, dehydration, or other conditions that deplete the body of fluids.
• Eat foods high in protein.
• Take certain drugs that affect the level of protein in the blood.
• Too long using a tourniquet when taking blood samples.

Low albumin

Conversely, albumin that is below the normal index is also called hypoalbuminemia. This low albumin count can be caused by:

• Poor nutritional intake (malnutrition)
• Kidney illness
• Liver disease
• Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
• Gastrointestinal malabsorption syndrome, such as thrush or Crohn's disease
• Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Have diabetes
• Hyperthyroidism
• Heart failure
• There is a wound or bleeding

Various other things that can affect the results of measuring albumin levels are as follows:

1. Take drugs

Medicines intended for diabetes, such as insulin and steroid drugs for skin care, can generally increase blood protein levels. Meanwhile, birth control pills are believed to be able to reduce albumin levels.

2. Pregnant

Pregnancy can affect the results of checking the protein in your blood. Usually, the measurement results are less accurate because the number is lower than it should be.

3. Have serious burns

Having serious burns can also affect the results of checking the body's albumin levels. The result will show a lower number than it should be.

4. Drink too much water

Drinking too much water or getting intravenous (IV) fluids, can make albumin test results inaccurate. Especially if the water you drink and the amount of intravenous fluids that you receive is quite a lot.

Side effects

What are the possible side effects from albumin check?

The amount of blood taken from the albumin examination is relatively small. That is why, the possibility of side effects from serum albumin testing is also very small.

Even so, there are several possible side effects that may arise from albumin testing, namely:

• Experiencing a slight bruise at the injection site
• Lots of blood loss
• Buildup of blood under the skin
• Dizzy
• Have an infection in the injection site

A person with certain medical conditions sometimes has a greater risk of experiencing side effects. Immediately consult further with your doctor if you experience one or more side effects that you think are unusual.