not good with lab values. Albumin 1.6

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what would cause such a low albumin level? I dont want to give much info about the patient but they had severe edema, creatinine of 1.1. very little urine output. alt 300 ast 25. bun 11

I left work today and am still worried about the labs. Dr. not so much.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Rehab.

Albumin normal range is the same as Potassium (3.5 to 5.0), which is how I remember it. I think malnutrition causes a low Albumin. Maybe a bit dilutional too.

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Specializes in ED.

Normal albumin is 3.5-5. Is this patient in renal failure? Albumin dips with poor nutrition.......

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Different things can cause low albumin levels--liver disease, malnutrition, kidney disease. I would suspect nephrotic syndrome, since you mentioned the low UOP.

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renal is my concern but I don't know if it would be from a hemorrhage. Really concerned for her healing post a surgery. also pre eclampsia

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

HUmmm...pre eclampsia, low albumin, low urine output and a post op. without protien you can't heal. I am concerned with the collection of circumatances and a syndrome comes to mind.....google it

http://tinyurl.com/6adb4zx

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

DKA may cause low albumin as well. Usually accompanied by liver/renal failure

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It used to be that low albumin was thought to be a great indicator of poor nutritional status. That is not the case.

Albumin is a great indicator, however, of someone's general health and prognosis. An albumin of 1.6 is quite low and tells you the patient is extremely sick. Pts with albumins

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HUmmm...pre eclampsia, low albumin, low urine output and a post op. without protien you can't heal. I am concerned with the collection of circumatances and a syndrome comes to mind.....google it

http://tinyurl.com/6adb4zx

My thoughts exactly. Bad news for the patient ...

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Didn't think DKA cause glucose was wnl. Didn't want to think hellp cause liver enzymes were ok even though platlets were lot. She got a diuretic today and started having good output. Still a 1:1 care. got more blood. I didn't care for her today but had to check up and make sure she was still ok.

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Does albumin get diluted with iv fluids?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Simply put yes......but when accompanied by other factors like low u/o and edema, it's probably accurate.......I'm glad the lasix is working but it would work better if the gave some Albumin.......like a push pull effect

http://www.globalrph.com/albumin_dilution.htm

http://www.nature.com/ki/journal/v55/n2/full/4490622a.html

https://secure.vlsstore.com/Media/PublicationsArticle/PV_26_12_940.pdf

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