Serum Albumin
Serum Albumin is a protein produced by the liver and found in the blood. It serves various essential functions in the body, and measuring serum albumin levels is crucial for evaluating several aspects of health:
- Nutritional Status: Serum albumin is an important indicator of nutritional status, particularly protein status. Low serum albumin levels can indicate malnutrition or inadequate protein intake, which may be seen in conditions such as anorexia, malabsorption syndromes, or chronic illnesses that lead to poor dietary intake.
- Liver Function: Serum albumin is synthesized by the liver, and its production is influenced by liver health and function. Liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer can impair the liver's ability to produce albumin, leading to decreased serum albumin levels.
- Kidney Function: Serum albumin levels may be affected by kidney function. In conditions such as nephrotic syndrome or chronic kidney disease, where there is increased loss of albumin through the urine (proteinuria), serum albumin levels may be decreased.
- Fluid Balance: Serum albumin helps maintain the osmotic pressure of blood and regulates fluid balance between blood vessels and tissues. Low serum albumin levels may contribute to fluid retention (edema) in tissues.
- Inflammatory Conditions: Serum albumin levels may decrease during acute or chronic inflammatory conditions. Inflammation can stimulate the liver to produce acute-phase proteins at the expense of albumin synthesis, leading to decreased serum albumin levels.
- Wound Healing and Immune Function: Serum albumin plays a role in wound healing and immune function. Low serum albumin levels may impair the body's ability to repair tissues and fight infections.