Human Albumin Serum
Human albumin is the serum albumin found in human blood. It is the most abundant protein in human blood plasma; it constitutes about half of serum protein. It is produced in the liver. It is soluble in water, and it is monomeric.
Human Albumin transports hormones, fatty acids, and other compounds, buffers pH, and maintains oncotic pressure, among other functions.
Human Albumin is synthesized in the liver as preproalbumin, which has an N-terminal peptide that is removed before the nascent protein is released from the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The product, proalbumin, is in turn cleaved in the Golgi apparatus to produce the secreted albumin.
The reference range for albumin concentrations in serum is approximately 35–50 g/L (3.5–5.0 g/dL). It has a serum half-life of approximately 21 days. It has a molecular mass of 66.5 kDa.
The gene for albumin is located on chromosome 4 in locus 4q13.3 and mutations in this gene can result in anomalous proteins. The human albumin gene is 16,961 nucleotides long from the putative ‘cap’ site to the first poly(A) addition site. It is split into 15 exons that are symmetrically placed within the 3 domains thought to have arisen by triplication of a single primordial domain.
Human albumin serum (HSA) is a highly water-soluble globular monomeric plasma protein with a relative molecular weight of 67 KDa, consisting of 585 amino acid residues, one sulfhydryl group and 17 disulfide bridges. Among nanoparticulate carriers, HSA nanoparticles have long been the center of attention in the pharmaceutical industry due to their ability to bind to various drug molecules, great stability during storage and in vivo usage, no toxicity and antigenicity, biodegradability, reproducibility, scale up of the production process and a better control over release properties. In addition, significant amounts of drug can be incorporated into the particle matrix because of the large number of drug binding sites on the albumin molecule.
What is Human Albumin?
Albumin is a protein produced by the liver that circulates in plasma (the clear liquid portion of your blood). Medicinal albumin is made of plasma proteins from human blood. This medicine works by increasing plasma volume or levels of albumin in the blood.
Albumin is used to replace blood volume loss resulting from trauma such as a severe burns or an injury that causes blood loss. This medicine is also used to treat low albumin levels caused by surgery, dialysis, abdominal infections, liver failure, pancreatitis, respiratory distress, bypass surgery, ovarian problems caused by fertility drugs, and other many other conditions.
Warnings
You should not receive Human Albumin if you have severe anemia (lack of red blood cells), or severe heart failure.
Before taking Human Albumin medicine
You should not use Human Albumin if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
- severe anemia (lack of red blood cells); or
- severe heart failure.
If possible before you receive Human Albumin, tell your doctor if you have:
- anemia;
- heart disease, high blood pressure;
- bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;
- lung problems;
- kidney disease;
- a latex allergy; or
- if you are unable to urinate.
In an emergency situation it may not be possible to tell your caregivers about your health conditions. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows you have received this medicine.
Albumin is made from human plasma (part of the blood) which may contain viruses and other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of it containing infectious agents, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.
It is not known whether albumin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
It is not known whether albumin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
In an emergency situation it may not be possible to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medication.
How is Human Albumin given?
Albumin is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
Your breathing, pulse, blood pressure, electrolyte levels, kidney function, and other vital signs will be watched closely while you are receiving albumin. Your blood will also need to be tested regularly during treatment.
Drink plenty of liquids while you are being treated with albumin.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Because you will receive albumin in a clinical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.
What should I avoid after receiving Human Albumin?
Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
Human Albumin side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; cough, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Tell your caregiver right away if you have:
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- weak or shallow breathing;
- throbbing headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears;
- anxiety, confusion, sweating, pale skin; or
- severe shortness of breath, wheezing, gasping for breath, cough with foamy mucus, chest pain, and fast or uneven heart rate.
Common side effects of Human Albumin may include:
- nausea, vomiting;
- fever, chills;
- fast heart rate;
- mild rash; or
- flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.
What other drugs will affect Human Albumin?
Other drugs may interact with albumin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
What is an Albumin Blood Test?
An albumin blood test measures the amount of albumin in your blood. Low albumin levels can be a sign of liver or kidney disease or another medical condition. High levels may be a sign of dehydration.
Albumin is a protein made by your liver. Albumin enters your bloodstream and helps keep fluid from leaking out of your blood vessels into other tissues. It is also carries hormones, vitamins, and enzymes throughout your body. Without enough albumin, fluid can leak out of your blood and build up in your lungs, abdomen (belly), or other parts of your body.
Other names: ALB, serum albumin test
What is it used for?
An albumin blood test is used to check your general health and to see how well your liver and kidneys are working. If your liver is damaged or you’re not well nourished, your liver may not make enough albumin. If your kidneys are damaged, they may let too much albumin leave your body in urine (pee).
An albumin blood test is often done as part of a group of blood tests that measure different enzymes, proteins, and other substances made in your liver. These tests are called liver function tests or liver panel. An albumin test may also be part of a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), a group of routine blood tests that measures several substances.
Why do I need an albumin blood test?
Your health care provider may order an albumin test as part your regular checkup. The test may be ordered as part of a group of liver function tests or a comprehensive metabolic panel. You may also need this test if you have symptoms of liver or kidney disease.
Symptoms of liver disease include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Jaundice, a condition that causes your skin and eyes to turn yellow
- Swelling and/or pain in your abdomen (belly)
- Swelling in your ankles and legs
- Dark-colored urine (pee) and/or light-colored stool (poop)
- Frequent itching
Symptoms of kidney disease include:
- Swelling in the hands and feet or puffy eyelids
- Dry skin, itching, or numbness
- Fatigue
- Increased or decreased urination
- Urine that is bloody or foamy
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Sleep problems
- Trouble thinking clearly
With some types of kidney disease, such as chronic kidney disease, you may not have symptoms until the later stages.
What happens during an albumin blood test?
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?
You don’t need any special preparations to test for albumin in blood. If your provider ordered other blood tests, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test. Your provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow. Certain medicines may affect your test results, so tell your provider what you are taking. But don’t stop taking any medicines without talking with your provider first.
Are there any risks to the test?
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
What do the results mean?
An albumin blood test alone cannot diagnose a condition. Your provider will usually consider your albumin test results with the results of other tests to make a diagnosis.
Lower than normal albumin levels may be a sign of:
- Liver disease, including severe cirrhosis, hepatitis, and fatty liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Malnutrition
- Infection
- Digestive diseases that involve problems using protein from food, such as Crohn’s disease and malabsorption disorders
- Burns over a large area of your body
- Thyroid disease
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