The High albumin Is medically known as hyperalbuminemia, and means an excess or high concentration of albumin in the blood. The serum albumin concentration is typically 35-50 g / L (3.5-5.0 g / dl).
Proteins are basic components of the human body, so albumin and globulin are essential proteins for the healthy functioning of it.
Albumin accounts for more than 50% of total plasma proteins in the human body. Some of its functions are to regulate the colloidal osmotic pressure of the blood, assist in the movement of fatty acids, hormones, bilirubin, cations and drugs in the blood, among others.
In addition, albumin prevents fluid from flowing out of the blood into the tissues. When the serum albumin concentration is greater than the normal range, it is called hyperalbuminemia. Abnormal serum albumin levels may be indicative of certain medical conditions.
One of the main reasons behind high levels of albumin in the blood is severe dehydration, and this can occur due to inadequate water intake, or fluid loss due to severe vomiting or diarrhea.
Thus, serum albumin levels could be elevated in individuals affected by diseases that cause dehydration
Although dehydration does not actually increase protein levels, the loss of water causes the blood to thicken, which in turn causes the blood components to concentrate.
Functions
Among the functions of albumin are:
- Maintains oncotic pressure.
- Carries thyroid hormones.
- It carries other hormones, in particular those that are liposoluble.
- It transports the fatty acids ("free"fatty acids) to the liver and to the myocytes for the utilization of the energy.
- Carries unconjugated bilirubin.
- It carries many drugs (serum albumin levels can affect the half-life of drugs).
- It binds competitively to calcium ions (Ca2 +).
- Regulate the PH.
- Prevents photodegradation of the folic acid .
The Role of Proteins
Proteins are large and complicated molecules vital to the function of all cells and tissues.
These take a variety of forms - such as albumin, antibodies and enzymes - and have many different functions like: regulatory functions of the body, transporting drugs and other substances throughout the body, helping to fight diseases, develop muscles, among others.
A High protein diet Does not cause high blood proteins. High blood protein is not a specific disease or condition in itself. It is usually a laboratory finding discovered during the evaluation of a particular condition or symptom.
For example, even if high protein is found in the blood of people who are dehydrated, the real problem is that the blood plasma is more concentrated.
Certain proteins in the blood may have elevated if the body is fighting an infection or some other inflammation. People with certain bone marrow diseases, such as multiple myeloma, may have high levels of protein in their blood before showing other symptoms.
Causes
Possible causes of high blood protein include:
- Dehydration.
- HIV AIDS.
- Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MSG).
- Multiple myeloma.
- Amyloidosis.
- Chronic inflammatory conditions.
- Bone marrow disorder.
Dehydration : This causes the blood to thicken, causing the concentration of its elements. The test results, therefore, will show that there is a high level of globulin in the blood, whereas in truth this is not the case.
HIV AIDS : Virus that attacks the body's immune cells, making it prone to other diseases. This results in a high serum level of globulins, because the body tries to compensate producing more (immune cells are also known as immunoglobulins).
Monoclonal gammopathy : Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MSG) is where the body produces an abnormal protein called monoclonal protein or M protein. Although this protein is abnormal, it usually does not cause any problems. In some cases, however, this condition can progress for years and generate disease, including cancer. However, it is impossible to determine which condition will progress and which will not.
Multiple myeloma : A condition in which myeloma cells (plasma cells present in the bone marrow that produce antibodies) become cancerous and multiply. This increases the number of plasma cells that manifest themselves as high levels of albumin in the blood.
Amyloidosis : A condition similar to MSG, where abnormal proteins called amyloid proteins are produced by bone marrow cells. These are deposited in different organs like the heart, the kidneys, the spleen, the liver, the nervous system And the gastrointestinal tract. The cause of amyloidosis is not known, but is considered a very rare condition.
symptom
High levels of albumin in the blood are actually a symptom of dysfunction within the body. Depending on the cause of the condition, the individual will demonstrate distinct clinical characteristics.
There are a number of general symptoms, but most of these are very generic and could be indicators of many diseases, including some very simple ones that have no consequence.
Some of the symptoms are:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Dizziness when standing or sitting
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever
- Tingling or numbness
It is important in any case to emphasize that it is not a good idea to self-diagnose.
Treatment
If the doctor determines that the albumin level is high, you can recommend additional tests to determine if there is an underlying problem.
More specific tests can help determine the cause. For example, a serum protein electrophoresis test measures individual blood proteins, revealing what specific type of protein is causing these high levels. Your doctor may prescribe this test if you suspect you have a bone marrow disease.
The treatment is different for each case, and consultation with a doctor is essential. This is because the type of treatment sought depends largely on the type of disease. There are no home remedies for a condition like this. Alternative treatments may be available, but medical advice and treatment is recommended.
After dehydration
Typically, this condition is a sign of severe or chronic dehydration. Chronic dehydration needs to be treated with zinc as well as with water. Zinc reduces cell swelling caused by decreased water intake (hypotonicity) and also increases salt retention.
In the dehydrated state, the body has too much osmolarity and, apparently, discards the zinc to avoid this. Zinc also regulates the transport of the cellular taurine osmolyte, and albumin is known to increase the cellular uptake of taurine.
Zinc has been shown to increase the production of retinol (vitamin A) from the Beta-carotene , And in laboratory experiments retinol reduces the production of human albumin. It is possible that a deficiency of Retinol (Vitamin A) alone can cause albumin levels to increase.
Patients recovering from chronic dehydration can develop dry eyes. It is interesting to note that retinol causes cells to swell with water (this is probably one of the reasons why too much vitamin A is toxic).
Tips
- Eat one healthy diet Which includes vegetables, pulses and fibers.
- Adequate rest and sleep.
- Reduce stress by practicing yoga , meditation And deep breathing exercises.
- Exercise .
- Regular visits to the doctor.
Albumin test (urine)
The test is used to check for damage or kidney disease. Albumin helps maintain the right amount of fluid moving through the body.
The kidneys filter the toxins from the blood, but they allow the proteins to pass through because the proteins are useful for the body.
Proteins must be reabsorbed into the blood and not be discarded in the urine. But if your kidneys are damaged or diseased, albumin may leak in your urine. One of the earliest signs of kidney damage is albumin in the urine.
Why is this test needed?
Your doctor may tell you if you think you have kidney disease or diabetes. You will probably need to re-test in 1 to 2 weeks.
What other tests may be needed along with this test?
The doctor may also order tests for other wastes in the blood. These include Creatinine Y Ureic nitrogen . If the kidneys are working the way they should, these waste products are removed from the blood.
It is therefore possible that tests are needed to see how much creatinine is in the urine. These tests help the doctor determine the proportion of urine albumin / creatinine, and in turn detect, diagnose and monitor the treatment of kidney disorders.
A test may also be needed to determine the rate of glomerular filtration. The tiny blood vessels of the kidney, known as glomeruli, prevent the protein from penetrating into the urine. If the glomeruli are damaged, more protein will seep into the urine.
What do the test results mean?
Many things can affect the results of laboratory tests. These include the method that each laboratory uses to do the test. To find out what the results mean, it is advisable to attend with the health care provider.
A normal amount of albumin in the urine is less than 20 mg per day. An amount of normal total protein in the urine is less than 150 mg a day.
If the test shows high levels of albumin in the urine or an increase in albumin in the urine, it could mean that there is kidney damage or disease.
If the patient has diabetes, a possible cause of an increase in urinary albumin is diabetic nephropathy, or kidney disease.
How is this test done?
This test requires a urine sample. Your doctor may suggest using a 24-hour urine sample. For this type of sample, the patient should collect all of the urine for 24 hours, as follows: Empty the bladder completely first thing in the morning without picking it up and recording the time.
Then collect urine every time you go to the bathroom for the next 24 hours.
Does this test pose any risk?
This test has no known risks.
What could affect the test results?
The test results could be affected if:
- The patient has a urinary tract infection.
- She is pregnant.
- He has fever.
- You have high blood pressure.
- You have high blood sugar.
- You have certain cancers like bladder cancer.
- You have certain kidney diseases like glomerulonephritis or a disease that affects the kidney like lupus.
- Certain medications can also increase or decrease the amount of protein in your urine.
How to prepare for this test?
It is not necessary to prepare for this test. But it is advisable to make sure the doctor knows all the medicines, herbs, vitamins and supplements that the patient is taking. This includes over-the-counter medications and any illicit drugs you may use.
If you are doing a 24-hour test, be sure to understand how to collect the sample, as well as ask if there are foods that are not recommended to eat before or during the test.
References
- World Heritage Encyclopedia (2017). Hyperalbuminemia. World Library Foundation. Retrieved from gutenberg.org.
- Salina (2011). High Albumin Levels. Tandurust. Recovered from: tandurust.com
- Bass, Pat F. (2016). Albumin. Health Encyclopedia University of Rochester Medical Center. Retrieved from rochester.edu.
- Patricia (2009) Causes Of High Protein Levels In Blood. Wiz. Retrieved from yogawiz.com.
- Mayo Clinic Staff (2015). Albumin. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from www.mayoclinic.org.