Hypoalbuminemia, a condition when albumin levels in the blood are below normal

Hypoalbuminemia is a condition when albumin levels in the blood are below normal. This condition usually occurs in someone with a severe or long-standing (chronic) disease. One of the diseases that most often causes hypoalbuminemia is inflammatory disease.

Normal albumin levels depend on a person's age. However, normal albumin levels range from 3.5 to 5.9 grams per deciliter (g / dL). Someone just said to have hypoalbuminemia if the albumin level is below 3.5 g / dL.

Albumin is a protein in the blood produced by the liver. As many as 60% of protein composition in the blood is albumin. Albumin also has many functions, such as regenerating body tissues and keeping body fluids from leaking out of blood vessels. In addition, albumin also serves to distribute several substances throughout the body, including hormones, vitamins, minerals, bilirubin, fat, and drugs.

Symptoms of Hypoalbuminemia

Some of the symptoms that can appear in people with hypoalbuminemia are as follows:

Swelling due to a buildup of fluid on the face or legs (edema).

Salivary gland swelling.

Enlargement of the tongue (macroglossia).

Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly.

Heart enlargement.

Bradycardia (slow heart rate)

Heart rhythm disorders.

Hypotension (low blood pressure).

Decreased appetite.

Diarrhea

Nausea and vomiting.

Weight loss.

Loss of fat under the skin layer

Decreased amount of muscle mass.

Dry and rough skin.

Wounds are difficult to heal.

Slower growth in children.

Jaundice (jaundice).

Gynecomastia (breast enlargement in men).

Encephalopathy (disorders of the brain).

Spider angiomas (gathering of small blood vessels on the surface of the skin).

Palmar erythema (reddened palms).

Asteriksis (tremor of the wrist).

Immediately consult a doctor if you suddenly feel easily tired or difficult to breathe. Medical examination should also be done immediately if you notice any disturbance in the child's development.

Causes of Hypoalbuminemia

Hypoalbuminemia is generally caused by inflammation in the body. Inflammation can occur postoperatively, or due to sepsis and burns. Inflammation can also occur due to medical procedures other than surgery, such as the installation of a ventilator or breathing apparatus. Apart from inflammation, lack of protein, calories and vitamins, or impaired absorption of nutrients, can lead to hypoalbuminemia. Low levels of albumin can also occur due to a number of conditions:

Hyperthyroidism, which is a condition of the thyroid gland that produces excess hormones.

Nephrotic syndrome, which is a disorder in the kidneys that causes proteins to leak through urine.

Diabetes, which is high sugar levels due to lack of insulin production.

Cirrhosis, the condition of the formation of scar tissue in the liver due to long-term damage.

Lupus, which is a condition in which the immune system turns against the body.

Heart failure.

Diagnosis of Hypoalbuminemia

If hypoalbuminemia is suspected, the doctor will advise the patient to undergo a number of tests to confirm the diagnosis, including:

Blood test. The doctor will measure the albumin level, by taking a patient's blood sample to be examined in the laboratory.

Creatinine albumin ratio check. This test aims to measure the levels of albumin that leak through the patient's urine.

Imaging test. To detect the possibility of cirrhosis or heart failure, doctors can do imaging tests, such as abdominal ultrasound or echocardiography. Doctors can also do X-ray examination to determine the cause of inflammation.

Biopsy. The doctor will take a sample of liver or kidney tissue for further investigation in the laboratory.

Hypoalbuminemia Treatment

Management of hypoalbuminemia depends on the underlying cause. For example, hypoalbuminemia caused by nutritional deficiencies can be overcome by changing diet. The doctor will suggest some protein-rich diets to increase albumin levels, such as beans, egg whites, cork fish, and milk and its derivatives.

Hypoalbuminemia can also be treated with medication. In patients with kidney disorders, drugs to treat hypertension, such as captopril or candesartan, can help prevent urinary albumin. Another type of drug that can be used is corticosteroids. Corticosteroids can prevent albumin levels from falling in patients with inflammation.

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