Albumin: Reference Range and Interpretation

Albumin is the most abundant protein in blood plasma, synthesized by the liver. It plays a crucial role in maintaining oncotic pressure, transporting hormones, vitamins, drugs, and fatty acids, and regulating pH balance. Measuring serum albumin levels helps assess liver function, kidney health, and nutritional status.

The normal reference range for serum albumin levels is:

• Adults: 3.5 – 5.0 g/dL (35 – 50 g/L)
• Children: Slightly lower than adults (varies with age)
• Newborns: 2.8 – 4.4 g/dL (28 – 44 g/L)

Note: Reference ranges may vary slightly between laboratories.

Causes:

• Liver disease (cirrhosis, hepatitis) – impaired synthesis
• Kidney disease (nephrotic syndrome) – excessive loss in urine
• Malnutrition or malabsorption (low protein intake)
• Chronic inflammation (e.g., infections, cancer)
• Burns or severe skin disorders
• Heart failure (due to fluid retention)

Symptoms:

• Edema (swelling in legs, abdomen)
• Fatigue, weakness
• Poor wound healing

Causes:

• Dehydration (most common cause)
• Excessive protein intake (rare)
• High-dose vitamin A supplementation

Symptoms:

• Thirst, dry mouth
• Reduced urine output

• Liver function test (LFT): Low albumin suggests chronic liver damage.
• Nutritional assessment: Helps diagnose protein deficiency.
• Kidney function: Used alongside urine albumin (microalbuminuria test) to detect kidney disease.

Low albumin (hypoalbuminemia) may indicate liver disease, kidney disorders, malnutrition, or chronic inflammation.

Yes, dehydration can cause falsely high albumin levels due to hemoconcentration.

Albumin is measured via a blood test (serum albumin) or urine test (to check for kidney damage).

High-protein foods like eggs, lean meats, fish, dairy, beans, and nuts can help improve albumin levels if malnutrition is the cause.

Severely low albumin (<2.0 g/dL) can lead to complications like edema, weakened immunity, and poor wound healing, requiring medical attention.

Yes, steroids and insulin may increase albumin, while some drugs (like NSAIDs) can contribute to kidney-related albumin loss.

For chronic conditions (liver/kidney disease), monitoring every 3-6 months is recommended. Healthy individuals rarely need routine testing.

Albumin is a key indicator of liver function, kidney health, and nutritional status. Abnormal levels (high or low) should be evaluated by a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.