LFT Biomarker
Collection Type: Blood
Related System: LFT
Albumin is the most abundant protein in blood plasma, produced by the liver. It helps maintain oncotic (colloid osmotic) pressure, transports hormones, fatty acids, bilirubin and many drugs, and serves as a reservoir of amino acids. A serum albumin test measures the concentration of albumin in blood and is used to assess liver synthetic function, nutritional status, and fluid balance. Low albumin suggests liver disease, malnutrition, kidney losses (nephrotic syndrome), systemic inflammation or protein-losing enteropathy; high values usually reflect dehydration. Symptoms prompting testing include edema, ascites, jaundice, unexplained weight loss, chronic fatigue or signs of liver/kidney disease. Levels vary with age (newborns and elderly often lower), pregnancy (dilutional fall), and acute illness (transient fall).
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Symptom Checker3.5-5.0 g/dL OR 35-50 g/L
Q: What is the purpose of albumin?
A: Albumin is the main blood plasma protein that maintains oncotic (colloid) pressure, helping keep fluid within blood vessels and preserving blood volume and pressure. It transports and binds hormones, fatty acids, bilirubin, ions and many drugs, serving as a carrier and amino‑acid reservoir. Albumin also aids pH buffering and has antioxidant activity, supporting fluid balance and metabolic transport.
Q: Can drinking water lower albumin?
A: Drinking water can lower urine albumin concentration temporarily by diluting urine and improving kidney perfusion, so mild albuminuria may fall with good hydration. However, extra fluids won’t fix underlying kidney, liver, or nutritional causes and don’t meaningfully change chronic serum albumin. Persistent or elevated albumin (blood or urine) requires medical evaluation and targeted treatment, not just more water.
Q: What is the function of albumin in the kidneys?
A: Albumin is a major plasma protein that the kidneys normally retain while allowing a tiny filtered amount to be reabsorbed in proximal tubules. In the renal context it helps maintain plasma oncotic pressure, supports fluid balance and effective glomerular filtration, transports hormones, drugs and fatty acids, and has antioxidant and buffering roles. Albuminuria signals glomerular or tubular damage and impaired reabsorption.
Q: Is albumin the main plasma protein?
A: Yes. Albumin is the most abundant plasma protein, making up roughly 50–60% of total plasma protein. Produced by the liver, it maintains oncotic (colloid) pressure to keep fluid in the bloodstream and transports hormones, fatty acids, bilirubin, drugs, and electrolytes. Normal serum albumin is about 35–50 g/L (3.5–5.0 g/dL); low levels occur in liver disease, malnutrition, and inflammation.
Q: Can low albumin cause death?
A: Very low albumin levels can be life‑threatening because they reflect serious underlying conditions (liver failure, kidney disease, severe infection or malnutrition) and cause complications like edema, ascites, impaired drug transport and poor healing. Hypoalbuminemia is associated with higher mortality. Treatment targets the underlying cause, nutritional support and, in select cases, albumin replacement; prognosis depends on the primary illness.
Q: Which organ produces albumin?
A: Albumin is produced by the liver’s hepatocytes. It is the most abundant plasma protein and helps maintain oncotic (colloid) pressure, preventing fluid leakage from blood vessels into tissues. Albumin also transports hormones, fatty acids, bilirubin, and many drugs, and serves as a circulating reservoir of amino acids. Reduced liver function or protein loss lowers albumin levels, affecting fluid balance and drug binding.