hypoalbuminemia

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: 1) serum albumin - a value < 3.5 mg/dL is clinically significant 2) renal function tests 3) liver function tests 4) urinalysis & urine protein 5) protein electrophoresis as indicated 6) for unknown reasons, hypoalbuminemia causes prolongation of the thrombin time Complications: - associated with development of pressure ulcers

Related

albumin (ALB) albumin in serum/plasma hyperalbuminemia

References

Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998