How does albumin work

If albumin levels are found to be too high, it may indicate a person is eating a high protein diet or is dehydrated. When results come back, a doctor will review them with the person and explain the results.

Normal levels may vary between labs. A doctor will be able to interpret the results to determine if the results fall within a normal range. The serum albumin test requires only a small amount of blood. It is typically considered a low-risk procedure, as a result.

Some people may experience some bruising and discoloration of the skin at the injection site. People with underlying medical conditions are at greater risk of developing an adverse reaction. A doctor should be particularly aware of any condition that may cause excessive bleeding, such as a clotting disorder.

Blood thinner medication also increases risks of excessive bleeding. If someone is asked to have a serum albumin test, their doctor may suspects an underlying issue. If the results come back showing low levels of albumin in the sample, a person will probably need further tests to determine the cause. Once a cause is determined, doctors can often prescribe treatment.

A person will not need any further tests when their blood albumin has returned to the correct level. Cirrhosis is a liver condition that causes irreversible scarring on the liver. There are no symptoms in the early stages, but they develop as the…. The pancreas is an organ in the abdomen. It produces enzymes and hormones that aid digestion, and it makes insulin to moderate levels of blood sugar…. Short-term inflammation is essential for healing, but long-term inflammation is a factor in various diseases.

Learn more about inflammation here. A doctor will order a lipase test if they suspect that a person has a problem with their pancreas. When the pancreas is inflamed, it often produces…. What does a serum albumin test tell you? This causes a low albumin level in your blood. You may have this test if your healthcare provider suspects that you have liver or kidney disease.

Symptoms of these diseases include:. You may also have this test if you are on dialysis to help your healthcare provider find out how well treatment is working.

Your healthcare provider may also order tests to measure other proteins in your blood. These include:. Your healthcare provider might also order tests that find what's causing inflammation if your blood albumin is low.

These tests include:. Many things may affect your lab test results. These include the method each lab uses to do the test. Even if your test results are different from the normal value, you may not have a problem. To learn what the results mean for you, talk with your healthcare provider.

A normal albumin range is 3. If you have a lower albumin level, you may have malnutrition. It can also mean that you have liver disease or an inflammatory disease. Learn more about how to treat this condition.

The microalbuminuria test is a urine test that measures the amount of albumin in your urine. Albumin is a protein that your body uses for cell growth….

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Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Serum Albumin Test. Medically reviewed by Carissa Stephens, R. Your doctor will interpret what your albumin levels mean for your health. Why is a serum albumin test done? How do I prepare for a serum albumin test? How is a serum albumin test performed? How are the results interpreted? What are the risks of a serum albumin test? Read this next. Creatinine Blood Test. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.