Albumin is a serum protein, produced by the liver. Among its functions are:
Maintaining water balance in the blood through osmotic pressure
Transportation of blood components
50–60% of total serum protein is albumin, and the rest is made, primarily, of globulins.
Increased albumin levels may be seen in:
Dehydration
Decreased albumin levels may be seen in:
Liver disease (decreased production)
Malnutrition (decreased production)
Diarrhea (increased loss)
Renal disease (increased loss)
Severe burns (increased loss)
Pregnancy (dilutional)
Normal Values*
Men-Women
3.8–5.0 g/dl
38–50 g/L
Pregnancy
1.9–4.0 g/dl
19–40 g/L
*These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing protocol to another.
