what does it mean when you have low albumin?
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If you have a lower albumin level, you may have malnutrition. It can also mean that you have liver disease or an inflammatory disease. Higher albumin levels may be caused by acute infections, burns, and stress from surgery or a heart attack.
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There are several conditions in which the serum calcium level may be a poor reflection of ionized calcium. One common situation is hypoalbuminemia. Since a significant portion of calcium circulates bound to albumin, low serum albumin levels may result in a low serum total calcium despite normal ionized calcium levels.
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Low white blood cell count. A low white blood cell count usually means your body isn't making enough white blood cells. It can increase your risk of all sorts of infections.
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Dehydration. Not having enough fluid circulating in the body means the kidneys are more likely to hold onto water, yet release waste products. As a result, the urine may be more concentrated and smell like ammonia. If your urine is darker in color and you're passing only small amounts of urine, you may be dehydrated.
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Conclusion. Hypoalbuminemia is associated with increased 30-day all-cause mortality in acutely admitted medical patients. Used as predictive tool for mortality, plasma albumin has acceptable discriminatory power and good calibration.
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If the line is faint, it usually means that the hCG level is low. One reason why hCG levels may be low could be because you're still very early into your pregnancy.
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Dehydration happens when your body loses too much fluid. It's a common, temporary cause of proteinuria. Your body uses water to deliver nutrients, like proteins, to the kidneys. But without enough fluid, it will have difficulty doing so.
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In many cases, a low hemoglobin count that's only slightly lower than normal doesn't affect how you feel. A low hemoglobin count that's more severe and causes symptoms might mean you have anemia.
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And over time, a lack of protein can make you lose muscle mass, which in turn cuts your strength, makes it harder to keep your balance, and slows your metabolism. It can also lead to anemia, when your cells don't get enough oxygen, which makes you tired.
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By itself, hypoalbuminemia can cause hypovolemia and circulatory collapse secondary to decreased oncotic pressure within the vascular system. Due to its metal-binding properties, hypoalbuminemia may lead to nutritional deficits including zinc deficiency.
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The Bottom Line Serious protein deficiency can cause swelling, fatty liver, skin degeneration, increase the severity of infections and stunt growth in children. While true deficiency is rare in developed countries, low intake may cause muscle wasting and increase the risk of bone fractures.
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Higher than normal levels of albumin may indicate dehydration or severe diarrhea. If your albumin levels are not in the normal range, it doesn't necessarily mean you have a medical condition needing treatment. Certain drugs, including steroids, insulin, and hormones, can raise albumin levels.
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When the body does not have enough insulin in the blood, it means glucose within the blood cannot get into muscle cells to fuel them. Over time, the lack of glucose can lead to muscle cells atrophying (dying) and therefore loss of muscle mass.
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Patients with advanced cirrhosis almost always have hypoalbuminemia caused both by decreased synthesis by the hepatocytes and water and sodium retention that dilutes the content of albumin in the extracellular space.
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Every one gram decrease in albumin will decrease anion gap by 2.5 to 3 mmoles. A normally high anion gap acidosis in a patient with hypoalbuminaemia may appear as a normal anion gap acidosis. This is particularly relevant in Intensive Care patients where lower albumin levels are common.
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Your body gets less oxygen, and you might notice symptoms like shortness of breath, swelling in your legs, and fluid buildup. Your body tries to keep the blood it has to supply your heart and brain. This leaves less for organs like your kidneys and liver. A lack of enough blood can damage these organs.
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Albumin is a protein made by your liver. Albumin helps keep fluid in your bloodstream so it doesn't leak into other tissues. It is also carries various substances throughout your body, including hormones, vitamins, and enzymes.