If you need to know which are the albumin reference ranges or you require more information about the role of albumin in the blood, you can visit normal albumin level in the blood
Hypoalbuminemia or a low albumin level in the blood is usually related to:
People with a low albumin level for more than three months has 2.5 more possibilities to die in the next 5 years tan people with an albumin level above 4 mg/dl. That is the reason why the hypoalbuminemia must be always studied to establish the possible cause.
Albumin blood values are usually given in g/dl but sometimes you can see these values in mmol/l following the International System of Units (SI). In case your values are in mmol/l you can convert them using this tool:
Hypoalbuminemia or low albumin blood levels mean:
Albumin level in the blood is a bit low. It does not worry for the moment, but it is necessary to monitor it periodically. Take a new blood test in a few months to see if it keeps on low.
It is interesting to study also transaminases and alkaline phosphatase in the blood (to exclude a liver disease) and urea, BUN or creatinine in the blood (to exclude a kidney disorder).
In any case, a visit to your doctor is recommended.
A moderate hypoalbuminemia requires a detailed study. It is necessary to find the cause of this decrease in albumin level in the blood.
There are other blood test results than may give a key for the diagnosis:
Albumin level in the blood is very low. There are usually some evidences in the body such as edemas in feet and ankles (swelling caused by excessive fluids) or ascites (abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen).
It requires urgent medical attention because an albumin level below 2 g/dl is related to a mortality over 60% in 30 days.
There is also a very rare genetic disease characterized by a very low albumin level in the blood (< 1mg/dl) called congenital analbuminemia. This rare disease can be present with no symptoms because the body, with an increase in other protein types, compensates the low level of albumin.
Some particular health situation or drugs may reduce your albumin level in the blood:
The following diseases can explain an albumin level in the blood lower than normal:
A low albumin level in the blood is usually due to kidney or liver diseases and sometimes with a problem related to the diet.
If the problem is related to the diet, for instance due to a protein deficit, it is advisable to increase the intake of high-protein products such as:
Besides, it is desirable to reduce the alcohol intake.
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The following values are considered to be above the normal range:
IMPORTANT: These levels are expressed in g/dl. They are an example of a healthy man of about 45 years old with no known disease and not taking any medication. The ranges can be different depending on the laboratory or on your personal circumstances.
Albumin | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild hypoalbuminemia | |||||||
| 3.3 g/dL | 3.2 g/dL | 3.1 g/dL | 3 g/dL | ||||
| Moderate hypoalbuminemia | |||||||
| 2.9 g/dL | 2.8 g/dL | 2.7 g/dL | 2.6 g/dL | 2.5 g/dL | 2.4 g/dL | 2.3 g/dL | 2.2 g/dL |
| 2.1 g/dL | 2 g/dL | ||||||
| Marked hypoalbuminemia | |||||||
| 1.9 g/dL | 1.8 g/dL | 1.7 g/dL | 1.6 g/dL | 1.5 g/dL | 1.4 g/dL | 1.3 g/dL | 1.2 g/dL |
| 1.1 g/dL | 1 g/dL | 0.9 g/dL | 0.8 g/dL | 0.7 g/dL | 0.6 g/dL | 0.5 g/dL | 0.4 g/dL |
| 0.3 g/dL | 0.2 g/dL | 0.1 g/dL | 0 g/dL | ||||
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