Albumin in Blood & Urine • What the laboratory value means

Albumin is the most important protein in the blood plasma and is produced in the liver. The concentration of albumin in the blood is a measure of the liver function.

An excessively high albumin level in the blood is an indication of the onset of kidney damage.
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The main task of albumin is to transport water-insoluble substances in the body such as fatty acids, medicinal substances, hormones, vitamins and minerals. Albumin also ensures that the colloid osmotic pressure, which determines the distribution of fluid in the body's cells, is maintained. The albumin value is an important parameter in acute and chronic inflammation, liver and kidney diseases and tumors, but also in the early detection of diabetes.

Ten warning signs in the urine

When and how is the albumin level determined?

The albumin concentration is an important blood value. Chronic liver disease, fluid retention (edema), kidney damage, malnutrition and during pregnancy can lead to albumin values ​​deviating from the normal range.

The value is determined in the blood serum or in the urine. Conventional urine test strips, such as those used for rapid urine testing, are not suitable for determining albumin, as they only show very high values.

When is the albumin level in the normal range?

Normal values ​​for the protein albumin are between 35 and 55 grams per deciliter of blood. Up to 30 milligrams per day (24 hours) are excreted in the urine.

Causes of excessive urinary albumin

Urine is usually free of protein. If protein is detected in the urine, this is always an alarm signal and an indication of a reduced filter performance of the kidneys.

An increased concentration of albumin in the urine is important in diagnosing kidney disease. If small amounts of albumin – between 30 to 300 mg / l per day – are detected in the urine, one speaks of microalbuminuria. This indicates the onset of kidney damage, such as occurs with diabetes and high blood pressure. However, elevated values ​​only occur briefly in the case of urinary tract infections or febrile illnesses. Therefore, if elevated albumin levels occur, the urine sample should be retested after a certain interval.

Doctors speak of macroalbuminuria when more than 300 milligrams of albumin are excreted per day. If micro- or macroalbuminuria is found in two or three urine samples, this indicates chronic kidney damage.

Causes of low blood albumin

Low blood albumin levels are an indication of

  • Liver diseases (inflammation of the liver, cirrhosis of the liver)
  • Inflammation
  • Water retention (edema)
  • extensive burns
  • pregnancy
  • Protein malnutrition

Stress, physical exertion, sport and the effects of cold can also influence the albumin value.

Blood count: important values ​​and what they mean