What does albumin do in the body?
Albumin is your body's most abundant blood protein, maintaining fluid balance, transporting hormones and nutrients, and supporting immune function. Low or high albumin levels can indicate liver disease, kidney problems, malnutrition, or inflammation.
Understanding Albumin: Your Body's Multitasking Protein
Albumin is the most abundant protein in your blood plasma, making up about 60% of total blood proteins. Produced primarily by your liver, this versatile protein performs numerous critical functions that keep your body running smoothly. From maintaining proper fluid balance to transporting essential substances throughout your bloodstream, albumin is truly one of your body's unsung heroes.
Think of albumin as your body's delivery service and pressure regulator rolled into one. Every day, your liver produces approximately 10-15 grams of this protein, which then circulates through your bloodstream for about 20 days before being broken down and replaced. Understanding albumin's roles and what happens when levels become abnormal can provide valuable insights into your overall health status.
The Essential Functions of Albumin
Maintaining Fluid Balance
One of albumin's primary jobs is maintaining oncotic pressure in your blood vessels. This protein acts like a sponge, holding water within your bloodstream and preventing it from leaking into surrounding tissues. When albumin levels drop, fluid can escape from blood vessels, leading to swelling (edema) in your legs, ankles, or abdomen. This is why people with low albumin often experience puffy ankles or a swollen belly.
Transportation Services
Albumin serves as a molecular taxi service, binding to and transporting various substances throughout your body. It carries:
- Hormones like thyroid hormones and cortisol
- Fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins
- Medications and drugs
- Bilirubin (a waste product from red blood cell breakdown)
- Calcium, magnesium, and other minerals
- Various toxins for removal by the liver and kidneys
Without adequate albumin, these substances cannot be efficiently transported, potentially leading to hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, and reduced medication effectiveness.
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties
Albumin acts as a powerful antioxidant, neutralizing harmful free radicals that can damage cells and contribute to aging and disease. It contains a special amino acid called cysteine-34, which can bind to and neutralize reactive oxygen species. Additionally, albumin helps regulate inflammation by binding to inflammatory molecules and preventing them from causing excessive tissue damage.
Normal Albumin Levels and What They Mean
Normal albumin levels typically range from 3.5 to 5.0 grams per deciliter (g/dL), though this can vary slightly between laboratories. Your albumin level provides important information about your liver function, nutritional status, and overall health. Regular monitoring through comprehensive blood testing can help detect problems early, before symptoms develop.
Understanding your albumin levels in context with other biomarkers provides a more complete picture of your health. Here's what different albumin levels might indicate:
Causes and Symptoms of Low Albumin (Hypoalbuminemia)
Common Causes
Low albumin levels can result from decreased production, increased loss, or dilution in the blood. The most common causes include:
- Liver disease (cirrhosis, hepatitis, fatty liver disease)
- Kidney disease (nephrotic syndrome, chronic kidney disease)
- Malnutrition or severe protein deficiency
- Inflammatory conditions (infections, autoimmune diseases)
- Gastrointestinal disorders affecting protein absorption
- Burns or severe skin conditions
- Heart failure
- Certain cancers
Recognizing the Symptoms
Low albumin symptoms often develop gradually and may include:
- Swelling in legs, ankles, feet, or abdomen (edema)
- Fatigue and weakness
- Poor wound healing
- Muscle wasting
- Increased susceptibility to infections
- Dry, brittle hair and nails
- Loss of appetite
If you're experiencing these symptoms, it's important to get comprehensive testing to identify the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Upload your blood test results to track your progress
Seamlessly upload 3rd party biomarker & blood tests to track your whole health in 1 dashboard. Understand what each blood test means and how it fits into the bigger picture of your body and health.
Get diet and lifestyle recommendations based on your blood results, health profile and health goals. You'll also receive a custom supplement recommendation for the precise nutrients your body craves.
Upload Past Blood Test Results
Click or drag file to upload
Once you upload your report, we'll extract the results for your review. Works with top labs including Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, BioReference, EverlyWell, LetsGetChecked and hundreds of other labs.
High Albumin Levels: Less Common but Still Important
While less common than low albumin, elevated levels (hyperalbuminemia) can also indicate health issues. High albumin is usually caused by dehydration, which concentrates proteins in the blood. Other potential causes include:
- Severe dehydration
- High-protein diet combined with dehydration
- Certain medications (like corticosteroids)
- Chronic inflammation
- Some types of cancer
Symptoms of high albumin often relate to the underlying cause, particularly dehydration, and may include thirst, dark urine, dizziness, and dry mouth.
Testing and Monitoring Your Albumin Levels
Albumin testing is typically part of a comprehensive metabolic panel or liver function test. The test requires a simple blood draw and provides results within a day or two. For the most accurate results, it's best to fast for 8-12 hours before testing, though this isn't always required.
Regular monitoring of albumin along with other key biomarkers can help track your liver and kidney health, nutritional status, and overall wellness. If you're interested in understanding your albumin levels as part of a comprehensive health assessment, at-home testing makes it convenient to monitor these important markers regularly.
Your doctor may also calculate your albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio, which compares albumin to other blood proteins called globulins. A normal A/G ratio is slightly above 1.0, typically between 1.1 and 2.5. Abnormal ratios can provide additional clues about liver function, kidney disease, or immune system activity.
Natural Ways to Support Healthy Albumin Levels
Optimize Your Protein Intake
Since albumin is a protein, ensuring adequate protein intake is crucial for maintaining healthy levels. Aim for 0.8-1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily, or more if you're very active or recovering from illness. Good protein sources include:
- Lean meats, poultry, and fish
- Eggs and dairy products
- Legumes, nuts, and seeds
- Quinoa and other whole grains
- Plant-based protein powders
Support Liver Health
Since your liver produces albumin, maintaining liver health is essential. Support your liver by:
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating antioxidant-rich foods (berries, leafy greens, green tea)
- Avoiding unnecessary medications and supplements
- Getting regular exercise
- Managing stress effectively
Address Inflammation
Chronic inflammation can suppress albumin production. Reduce inflammation through:
- Following an anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids
- Managing stress through meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques
- Getting adequate sleep (7-9 hours nightly)
- Regular moderate exercise
- Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome with probiotics and prebiotics
When to Seek Medical Attention
While mild fluctuations in albumin levels are normal, certain situations warrant medical evaluation:
- Persistent swelling in legs, ankles, or abdomen
- Unexplained fatigue or weakness
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Dark urine or pale stools
- Persistent nausea or loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Frequent infections
If you have existing liver or kidney disease, regular albumin monitoring is especially important as it can help track disease progression and treatment effectiveness.
For a comprehensive analysis of your existing blood test results, including albumin levels, you can use SiPhox Health's free upload service. This AI-powered tool provides personalized insights and actionable recommendations based on your unique health data, helping you better understand what your albumin levels mean in the context of your overall health.
The Bottom Line on Albumin
Albumin is far more than just another number on your blood test. This hardworking protein maintains fluid balance, transports essential substances, fights oxidative stress, and serves as a valuable indicator of your liver function, nutritional status, and overall health. By understanding what albumin does and monitoring your levels regularly, you can catch potential health issues early and take proactive steps to maintain optimal wellness.
Remember that albumin levels should always be interpreted in context with other biomarkers and your overall health picture. Whether you're dealing with symptoms that might indicate albumin imbalance or simply want to optimize your health, regular testing and a holistic approach to wellness can help ensure your albumin levels support your body's many vital functions.
References
- Soeters PB, Wolfe RR, Shenkin A. Hypoalbuminemia: Pathogenesis and Clinical Significance. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2019;43(2):181-193.[Link][PubMed][DOI]
- Levitt DG, Levitt MD. Human serum albumin homeostasis: a new look at the roles of synthesis, catabolism, renal and gastrointestinal excretion, and the clinical value of serum albumin measurements. Int J Gen Med. 2016;9:229-255.[Link][PubMed][DOI]
- Arroyo V, García-Martinez R, Salvatella X. Human serum albumin, systemic inflammation, and cirrhosis. J Hepatol. 2014;61(2):396-407.[Link][PubMed][DOI]
- Fanali G, di Masi A, Trezza V, Marino M, Fasano M, Ascenzi P. Human serum albumin: from bench to bedside. Mol Aspects Med. 2012;33(3):209-290.[Link][PubMed][DOI]
- Eckart A, Struja T, Kutz A, et al. Relationship of Nutritional Status, Inflammation, and Serum Albumin Levels During Acute Illness: A Prospective Study. Am J Med. 2020;133(6):713-722.[Link][PubMed][DOI]
- Carvalho JR, Machado MV. New Insights About Albumin and Liver Disease. Ann Hepatol. 2018;17(4):547-560.[Link][PubMed][DOI]
Was this article helpful?
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I test my albumin at home?
You can test your albumin at home with SiPhox Health's Heart & Metabolic Program or Ultimate 360 Health Program. Both CLIA-certified programs include albumin testing along with comprehensive metabolic and liver function markers, providing lab-quality results from the comfort of your home.
What is the normal range for albumin?
The normal albumin range is typically 3.5 to 5.0 g/dL, though this can vary slightly between laboratories. Levels below 3.5 g/dL indicate hypoalbuminemia, while levels above 5.0 g/dL suggest hyperalbuminemia. Your albumin should be interpreted alongside other liver and kidney function tests for a complete health picture.
Can diet affect albumin levels?
Yes, diet significantly impacts albumin levels. Since albumin is a protein, inadequate protein intake can lead to low levels. Aim for 0.8-1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily from sources like lean meats, eggs, legumes, and dairy. Additionally, maintaining overall good nutrition and liver health through a balanced diet supports optimal albumin production.
How quickly can albumin levels change?
Albumin has a half-life of about 20 days, so levels change relatively slowly compared to other blood proteins. It typically takes 2-4 weeks to see significant changes from dietary improvements or treatment. However, acute conditions like severe dehydration can cause temporary increases, while fluid overload can dilute albumin levels more quickly.
What's the difference between albumin and prealbumin?
While both are proteins made by the liver, they serve different purposes and change at different rates. Albumin is more abundant and changes slowly over weeks, making it useful for assessing long-term nutritional status and liver function. Prealbumin has a shorter half-life (2-3 days) and responds more quickly to nutritional changes, making it useful for monitoring acute nutritional status in hospitalized patients.
This article is licensed under CC BY 4.0. You are free to share and adapt this material with attribution.
