hypoalbuminemia

Introduction

An abnormally low amount of albumin in the blood

Etiology

• inadequate protein intake
• active inflammation
• liver disease
• renal disease

Physiology

• albumin is the major serum protein that maintains plasma colloidal osmotic pressure (pressure within blood vessels) & transports fatty acids, bilirubin, & many drugs as well as certain hormones, such as cortisol & thyroxine, through the blood

Laboratory

• serum albumin
  • a value < 3.5 mg/dL is clinically significant
• renal function tests
• liver function tests
• urinalysis & urine protein
• protein electrophoresis as indicated
• for unknown reasons, hypoalbuminemia causes prolongation of the thrombin time

Complications

• associated with development of pressure ulcers

More general terms

• sign/symptom

Additional terms

• albumin (ALB)
• albumin in serum/plasma
• hyperalbuminemia