Hypoalbuminemia

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Hypoalbuminemia
Synonyms	Low albumin
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Edema, ascites, fatigue
Complications	Infection, hypotension, organ failure
Onset	Gradual
Duration	Variable
Types	N/A
Causes	Liver disease, kidney disease, malnutrition, inflammation
Risks	Chronic illness, alcoholism, burns, sepsis
Diagnosis	Blood test for serum albumin
Differential diagnosis	Nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis, heart failure
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Address underlying cause, albumin infusion
Medication	Diuretics, antibiotics
Prognosis	Depends on underlying cause
Frequency	Common in hospitalized patients
Deaths	N/A

Hypoalbuminemia refers to a medical condition characterized by a serum albumin concentration below the age-related normal range. Albumin, the most abundant protein in human blood plasma, plays a critical role in maintaining osmotic pressure and transporting hormones, fatty acids, and other compounds. Hypoalbuminemia can indicate an underlying health issue or nutritional deficiency and is associated with various medical conditions.

Causes

Hypoalbuminemia can result from:

• Liver disease: Impaired albumin production due to liver conditions such as cirrhosis or hepatitis.
• Kidney disease: Loss of albumin through the urine in conditions like nephrotic syndrome.
• Malnutrition: Insufficient protein intake or absorption issues.
• Inflammatory diseases: Conditions that increase catabolism or alter protein distribution, such as sepsis or inflammatory bowel disease.

Symptoms

While hypoalbuminemia itself may not directly cause symptoms, its underlying causes can. Symptoms related to hypoalbuminemia include:

• Edema: Swelling due to fluid accumulation, particularly in the ankles and feet.
• Fatigue
• Weakness

Diagnosis

Diagnosis involves blood tests to measure serum albumin levels, typically part of a comprehensive metabolic panel. Additional tests may be conducted to determine the underlying cause, including liver function tests, kidney function tests, and nutritional assessments.

Treatment

Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause of hypoalbuminemia:

• Nutritional support for malnutrition
• Medication or therapy for liver and kidney diseases
• Management of chronic conditions contributing to hypoalbuminemia

Complications

Hypoalbuminemia can lead to several complications, including:

• Increased risk of edema
• Ascites: Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen
• Increased severity of the underlying disease

See Also

• Albumin
• Edema
• Liver function tests
• Nephrotic syndrome

External Links

• Mayo Clinic - Hypoalbuminemia
• National Center for Biotechnology Information - Hypoalbuminemia

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