The albumin test is performed with the aim of verifying the general nutritional status of the patient and identifying possible kidney or liver problems, since albumin is a protein produced in the liver and is necessary for various processes in the body, such as transport. hormones and nutrients. and to regulate the pH and maintain the osmotic balance of the body, which occurs by regulating the amount of water in the blood.
This test is requested in case of suspected kidney and liver disease, mainly with low levels of blood albumin under control, which leads the doctor to request additional tests to complete the diagnosis.
- If kidney disease is suspected.
- Your doctor may order a urine test and albumin measurement in your urine.
- And the presence of albuminin in your urine.
- Called albuminuria.
- Indicating kidney damage.
- May be checked.
- Learn more about albuminuria and its main causes.
The albumin test is requested by the doctor to assess the nutritional status of the person and help diagnose kidney and liver disease, in addition to being requested before surgery to check the person’s overall condition and assess whether surgery is possible.
Normally, blood albumin dosing is required with other tests, such as urea dosing, creatinine and total blood proteins, especially in case of symptoms of liver disease, such as jaundice or kidney disease. Understand what it is and how total proteins in your blood are tested.
The albumin test does not require fasting and is done by testing a sample of blood taken in the laboratory. It is important for the person to indicate the use of medications, such as anabolic steroids, insulin and growth hormone, for example, as they may interfere with the test result and should therefore be taken into account during the analysis.
Normal albumin values may vary depending on the laboratory in which the test is performed and also by age.
In addition to varying by laboratory and age, albumin values in the blood may also be influenced by medication, prolonged diarrhea, burns and malnutrition.
Increased the value of albumin in the blood, also called hyperalbuminemia, is usually related to dehydration. This occurs because in dehydration, there is a decrease in the amount of water present in the body, which changes the proportion of albumin and water, indicating a higher concentration of albumin in the blood.
Decreased albumin value, also called hypoalbuminemia, can occur due to several situations, such as:
In addition, a decrease in albumin values in the blood may also be a sign of liver problems, in which there is a decrease in the production of this protein. Therefore, your doctor may order additional tests to evaluate liver health. See what tests your liver evaluates.