Albumin: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "<section begin="clinical biochemistry" />'''Albumin''', more specifically '''human serum albumin''', is a plasma protein whose main function is to transport bioactive molecules and to maintain oncotic pressure. It's a negative acute phase protein. Bisalbuminaemia is a harmless disorder where a person has two "peaks" in the albumin fraction on serum electrophoresis, showing that the person produces both normal and a mutated abnormal albumin.<section end="...")
 
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<section begin="clinical biochemistry" />'''Albumin''', more specifically '''human serum albumin''', is a [[plasma protein]] whose main function is to transport bioactive molecules and to maintain [[oncotic pressure]]. It's a negative [[acute phase protein]].
<section begin="clinical biochemistry" />'''Albumin''', more specifically '''human serum albumin''', is a [[plasma protein]] whose main function is to transport bioactive molecules and to maintain [[oncotic pressure]]. It's a negative [[acute phase protein]]. Albumin is the most abundant plasma protein, accounting for 60% of plasma proteins.


Approximately 12 - 24 g of albumin is synthesised in the liver daily, but hepatocytes can more than double their synthetic capacity if needed. The normal serum level is approx 35 - 45 g/L.
== Hypoalbuminaemia ==
Hypoalbuminaemia is characterised by serum albumin < 35 g/L. It's a common finding in hospitalised patients. It may be due to:
* Being bedridden (reduces albumin levels by 10%)
* [[Acute phase]] (inflammation)
* [[Liver failure]]
* [[Malnutrition]]/[[malabsorption]]
* [[Nephrotic syndrome]]
* [[Preeclampsia]]
* [[Protein-losing enteropathy]]
* [[Burn injury]]
* Constrictive [[pericarditis]]
== Hyperalbuminaemia ==
Hyperalbuminaemia is usually a sign of [[dehydration]].
== Bisalbuminaemia ==
Bisalbuminaemia is a harmless disorder where a person has two "peaks" in the albumin fraction on [[serum electrophoresis]], showing that the person produces both normal and a mutated abnormal albumin.<section end="clinical biochemistry" />
Bisalbuminaemia is a harmless disorder where a person has two "peaks" in the albumin fraction on [[serum electrophoresis]], showing that the person produces both normal and a mutated abnormal albumin.<section end="clinical biochemistry" />
[[Category:Physiology]]
[[Category:Physiology]]

Latest revision as of 19:14, 26 March 2024

Albumin, more specifically human serum albumin, is a plasma protein whose main function is to transport bioactive molecules and to maintain oncotic pressure. It's a negative acute phase protein. Albumin is the most abundant plasma protein, accounting for 60% of plasma proteins.

Approximately 12 - 24 g of albumin is synthesised in the liver daily, but hepatocytes can more than double their synthetic capacity if needed. The normal serum level is approx 35 - 45 g/L.

Hypoalbuminaemia

Hypoalbuminaemia is characterised by serum albumin < 35 g/L. It's a common finding in hospitalised patients. It may be due to:

Hyperalbuminaemia

Hyperalbuminaemia is usually a sign of dehydration.

Bisalbuminaemia

Bisalbuminaemia is a harmless disorder where a person has two "peaks" in the albumin fraction on serum electrophoresis, showing that the person produces both normal and a mutated abnormal albumin.