Why does low albumin cause low anion gap?

Hypoalbuminemia means that there are low levels of a protein (albumin) in your blood. Albumin is one of the most abundant proteins in circulation, so a drop in the level of this protein would affect the anion gap.

How does low albumin affect anion gap?

Albumin is the major unmeasured anion and contributes almost the whole of the value of the anion gap. Every one gram decrease in albumin will decrease anion gap by 2.5 to 3 mmoles. A normally high anion gap acidosis in a patient with hypoalbuminaemia may appear as a normal anion gap acidosis.

Should I worry about a low anion gap?

Keep in mind that even if your anion gap is high or low, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have a serious health problem. An anion gap number between 3 and 10 is considered normal. But the “normal” range can vary from person to person, and it may also depend on the methods your lab used to do the test.

How do you fix low anion gap albumin?

The observed anion gap can be adjusted for abnormal albumin concentration as follows: adjusted anion gap = observed anion gap + 0.25 x ([normal albumin]-[observed albumin]), where albumin concentrations are in g/L; if given in g/dL, the factor is 2.5.

What are symptoms of low albumin levels?

People with hypoalbuminemia may experience the following symptoms:

  • Fatigue.
  • Weak muscle tone.
  • Jaundice.
  • Swelling in their feet and legs.
  • Dark-colored urine and/or frequent urination.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Loss of appetite.

Which disorder would be a common cause of a decreased anion gap?

The most common cause of a low anion gap is a low level of albumin, a protein in the blood. Low albumin may be a sign of not eating enough protein, kidney problems, liver disease, heart disease, or some types of cancer.

Can anemia cause low albumin levels?

Iron deficiency can lead to anemia (low red blood cell count) and protein loss leads to hypoalbuminemia (low levels of albumin in the blood).

What causes low albumin in blood test?

Albumin is protein in your blood plasma. Low albumin levels might be the result of kidney disease, liver disease, inflammation or infections. High albumin levels are usually the result of dehydration or severe diarrhea.