Albumin Test
Albumin: Why is it ImPortant?
Lauren Maister-Green, RD; Alisha Chasey, MS, RD; Beth Spanier, RD; Meredith Gilliatt-Wimberly, MS, RD
TIPS . . .
• At each meal try to include one of these high quality protein foods: chicken, turkey, fish, beef, pork, or eggs.
n monthly lab reviews, dialysis patients may be told that their albumin level is low and they need to eat more protein. But what is albumin? Why is an albumin blood test important? What factors affect albumin? How can albumin levels be improved?
I
What is albumin?
Albumin is a major protein found in the blood. Protein plays a big role in fighting off infections and building or repairing muscle tissue. When a person does not eat enough calories or protein, the liver doesn’t have enough protein to make new albumin, which causes lower albumin levels in the blood. Research has shown that patients with low albumin levels over time have a higher death risk. Testing albumin levels helps assess a person’s nutritional status and risk for malnutrition.
disease, since albumin is made in the liver. It can also be low in persons with a history of nephrotic syndrome or certain kidney diseases that cause protein to be lost in the urine. Albumin levels can also drop quickly if an i n f e c t i o n develops. Because it is hard to tell exactly what has caused the decrease, a health care team will use the albumin test along with other tools to monitor continued health. The dietitian will often ask about appetite, monitor weight and muscle tone, and review other blood tests including those that measure adequate dialysis (KT/V and URR).
• Notify your dietitian
ASAP if you are experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty chewing and swallowing, or lack of appetite.
• Eat protein snacks, such as an egg salad sandwich or tuna on crackers.
• Check w/ your dietician about a protein drink, powder, or bar that would be right for you.
• Try to eat 5-6 small meals a day.
• Try new recipes that
Lauren Maister-Green, RD; Alisha Chasey, MS, RD; Beth Spanier, RD; Meredith Gilliatt-Wimberly, MS, RD
TIPS . . .
• At each meal try to include one of these high quality protein foods: chicken, turkey, fish, beef, pork, or eggs.
n monthly lab reviews, dialysis patients may be told that their albumin level is low and they need to eat more protein. But what is albumin? Why is an albumin blood test important? What factors affect albumin? How can albumin levels be improved?
I
What is albumin?
Albumin is a major protein found in the blood. Protein plays a big role in fighting off infections and building or repairing muscle tissue. When a person does not eat enough calories or protein, the liver doesn’t have enough protein to make new albumin, which causes lower albumin levels in the blood. Research has shown that patients with low albumin levels over time have a higher death risk. Testing albumin levels helps assess a person’s nutritional status and risk for malnutrition.
disease, since albumin is made in the liver. It can also be low in persons with a history of nephrotic syndrome or certain kidney diseases that cause protein to be lost in the urine. Albumin levels can also drop quickly if an i n f e c t i o n develops. Because it is hard to tell exactly what has caused the decrease, a health care team will use the albumin test along with other tools to monitor continued health. The dietitian will often ask about appetite, monitor weight and muscle tone, and review other blood tests including those that measure adequate dialysis (KT/V and URR).
• Notify your dietitian
ASAP if you are experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty chewing and swallowing, or lack of appetite.
• Eat protein snacks, such as an egg salad sandwich or tuna on crackers.
• Check w/ your dietician about a protein drink, powder, or bar that would be right for you.
• Try to eat 5-6 small meals a day.
• Try new recipes that