Diagnostic Laboratory Section

Clinical significane of protein and albumin

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF PROTEIN AND ALBUMIN

• Chronic diffuse liver disease especially cirrhosis
• Non hepatic causes
• Renal disease - glomerulonephritis, amyloidosis, nephritic syndrome
• Inadequate intake or absorption
• Inadequate diet
• Malabsorption
• Pancreatic hypoplasia or atrophy
• Protein – losing gastroenteropathy
• Gastrointestinal parasitism
• Increased protein need – pregnancy, lactation
• Excessive loss of protein
• Renal disease – with albuminuria
• Draining wounds
• Burns
• Internal losses – acute intestinal obstruction, pancreatitis, acute peritonitis
• Increased protein breakdown for gluconeogenesis –fever, diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism.