Albumin, Serum LabCorp

Albumin is a type of protein that the liver produces. It is one of the most abundant proteins in your blood. This test evaluates nutritional status, blood oncotic pressure, evaluation of renal disease with proteinuria, and other chronic diseases. High levels of Albumin may indicate dehydration. Look for increases in hemoglobin/hematocrit in such patients. Low Albumin levels are found with use of IV fluids, rapid hydration, overhydration, cirrhosis, other liver disease (including chronic alcoholism); in pregnancy and with oral contraceptive use; many chronic diseases including the nephrotic syndromes, neoplasia, protein-losing enteropathies (including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), peptic ulcer, thyroid disease, burns, severe skin disease, prolonged immobilization, heart failure, chronic inflammatory diseases such as the collagen diseases and other chronic catabolic states. Starvation, malabsorption, or malnutrition