I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: texasstyle on June 07, 2010, 02:48:25 PM

Title: why low Albunim?
Post by: texasstyle on June 07, 2010, 02:48:25 PM

 What would cause the Albunim levels to be so low if they are manufactured by the Liver?  I know for things like Nephrotic Syndrome the protien levels are extremely high, I'm confused about his. I know Albunim is also a protien.  Hhmm.. Im trying to understand this. Thanks! Carolyn

Title: Re: why low Albunim?
Post by: Rerun on June 07, 2010, 03:15:10 PM

Along with other toxins.... dialysis sucks out protein.  It is just the right size molecule to get sucked out.  Some good along with the bad.

So people on dialysis need more protein.

Title: Re: why low Albunim?
Post by: kevno on June 07, 2010, 04:19:00 PM

Yeah! I remember on dialysis in the 70's i was on a 20 gram Protein diet. I had to hunt the meat under a pea :banghead; Things change so much with each passing decade. Now they try to make you eat as much protein as you can. A 90+ gram Protein diet.. Plus try to keep your Albumin level above 40 here in the UK.  :stressed;   

Title: Re: why low Albunim?
Post by: RightSide on June 07, 2010, 07:08:57 PM

Serum albumin is a measure of how much protein you're eating vs. how much is being excreted.

Healthy kidneys reabsorb this protein.  But damaged kidneys can just dump this protein into the urine (proteinuria), causing blood albumin levels to fall.

Title: Re: why low Albunim?
Post by: Lillupie on June 07, 2010, 11:37:32 PM

This is a lot of pressure to pump up those proteins. They tell me that the albumin levels are the number one indicator of death. The higher your albumin levels the healthy you are because then you are able to prevent and fight off infection. Pretty much eat meat and eggs every single day. Which sucks because you may not always want something so heavy. Its important to stay consistant. Try protein supplements also.

Hope this helps
Lisa

Title: Re: why low Albunim?
Post by: BigSky on June 08, 2010, 07:18:48 AM

Dialysis patients tend to be in a state of chronic inflammation and that also affects albumin levels.

Title: Re: why low Albunim?
Post by: RightSide on June 08, 2010, 04:18:43 PM

It's the combination of malnutrition (indicated by low albumin) and inflammation (which is unavoidable with hemodialysis), that can be lethal.

The docs even have a name for it:  "Malnutrition-inflammation complex syndrome" (google for it).

Title: Re: why low Albunim?
Post by: texasstyle on June 29, 2010, 05:20:43 PM

thanks guys

Title: Re: why low Albunim?
Post by: Bajanne on June 29, 2010, 06:03:01 PM

I don't understand the 'inflammation' part.  Why is inflammation associated with hemodialysis??

Title: Re: why low Albunim?
Post by: boswife on July 03, 2010, 10:06:18 PM

i would love tohear more on this :-)