Guest guest Posted October 24, 2007 Report Share Posted October 24, 2007 - I just happened to have the reports on my last blood work on my desk when I read your post. I checked for the albumin on mine and they give a range of 3.3 to 4.9 as being normal. I know there are differences in scales and probably even ranges, but on this one 3.3 would be in the lowest normal range. Jan H > > Abijann, > My albumin was 3.3 in August. It gives a range of normal levels as 3.5 - > 4.8. > > So how low is 3.3 ? This is where I have trouble with bloodwork. 3.3doesn't seem a lot of difference from > 3.5 to me. Is it a lot or not ? Anyone know ? > > > > jkost > > There are two types of fluid build up > in the bodies of someone with cirrhosis of > the liver. The one is edema which pertains > mainly to the swelling in the legs, feet and > other areas. This is because cirrhosed patients > maintain a high level of sodium in the body. > Being placed on diuretics and also a lower sodium > diet sometimes helps this. However, there is > another type of fluid that builds up and that is > in the Abdominal area and this is known as > Ascites. This ascites is caused by the low > albumin levels in the body since the liver is > no longer capable, because of damage, to make > a sufficient amount. > Here is a link that will explain this: > http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?\ > <http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?> > requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/ascites.jsp > <http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp\ > <http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp> > ?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/ascites.jsp> > > Albumin is a protein that helps to keep the fluid in our vessels, when > it is lacking..then the fluid seeps out and into the abdominal area. The > diuretics can help to try and slow down this fluid build up but it > cannot prevent it. > > I would check with your transplant doctors and see if this maybe what it > is. If this fluid builds up too much, then it can be removed with a > procedure known as paracentesis. The doctors usually will not do this > until it is causing the patient difficulty breathing or discomfort, as > any opening in the abdominal wall can cause bacteria to enter in. > > Please let us know how you make out at the doctors office. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2007 Report Share Posted October 24, 2007 Thanks for the info. Jan. Your's and Abijan's information helps me put it into perspective. The doctors have never mentioned the albumin, so I guess they aren't worried about it yet. Whereas my potassium levels - well I've had them come back low lots of times, but the last time it was lowest enough the lab marked it low and then marked it Critical. Found out that is when Dr. Veer calls you at home to take more potassium. I guess if Albumin or one of the others came back critical I'd get one of those calls again jkost > > There are two types of fluid build up > in the bodies of someone with cirrhosis of > the liver. The one is edema which pertains > mainly to the swelling in the legs, feet and > other areas. This is because cirrhosed patients > maintain a high level of sodium in the body. > Being placed on diuretics and also a lower sodium > diet sometimes helps this. However, there is > another type of fluid that builds up and that is > in the Abdominal area and this is known as > Ascites. This ascites is caused by the low > albumin levels in the body since the liver is > no longer capable, because of damage, to make > a sufficient amount. > Here is a link that will explain this: > http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?\ > <http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?> > requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/ascites.jsp > <http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp\ > <http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp> > ?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/ascites.jsp> > > Albumin is a protein that helps to keep the fluid in our vessels, when > it is lacking..then the fluid seeps out and into the abdominal area. The > diuretics can help to try and slow down this fluid build up but it > cannot prevent it. > > I would check with your transplant doctors and see if this maybe what it > is. If this fluid builds up too much, then it can be removed with a > procedure known as paracentesis. The doctors usually will not do this > until it is causing the patient difficulty breathing or discomfort, as > any opening in the abdominal wall can cause bacteria to enter in. > > Please let us know how you make out at the doctors office. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2007 Report Share Posted October 24, 2007 Normal lab levels are based on population for your area the hospital is serving. To ask how low 3.3 is from 3.5 may not be a lot of difference since the normal 3.5 is an average. If you don't have any symptoms of an albumin deficiency such as ascites, then 3.3 may be fine for you. Also remember at the time they took your blood it was 3.3 and they may not always be a constant reading. Taking a blood test is like taking a picture in time. Those albumin levels may be different 24 hours later. MaC Crislip wrote: Abijann, My albumin was 3.3 in August. It gives a range of normal levels as 3.5 - 4.8. So how low is 3.3 ? This is where I have trouble with bloodwork. 3.3 doesn't seem a lot of difference from 3.5 to me. Is it a lot or not ? Anyone know ? __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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