Low albumin, do you need to immediately transfuse albumin?

Maybe most of you are not familiar with albumin levels in the body. Yes, this substance is not as well known as cholesterol or blood sugar, but its function in the body is very important. Actually, albumin is a protein substance which is quite a lot in the blood. So, when albumin drops dramatically, something is wrong with your body. If this happens, you may need an albumin transfusion.

Low albumin, do you have to get a transfusion?

The liver is the organ responsible for producing albumin. You could say, albumin is a simple form of protein because it has been digested by the body and has a role to regulate body fluids and provide food to tissues and cells that need it.

So, when the albumin is low, you will experience various symptoms and must be treated immediately. Low albumin count can be caused by various things such as:

Just had surgery
Have burns
Having impaired kidney function
Have heart disease
Food intake is not good and eventually malnutrition
Diabetes
Liver dysfunction, such as cirrhosis

One of the treatments performed when the albumin count is very low is albumin infusion therapy or albumin transfusion. Yes, this method is done so that albumin levels can return to normal in the not too distant future.

What should be prepared when it comes to albumin transfusion?

The procedure is almost the same when you have a blood transfusion, which distinguishes only the substances that enter the body. So, actually you don't need any special preparation before doing an albumin transfusion.

Albumin will be put through an IV and the dose will be adjusted according to the condition of each patient. The reason is, the dose will depend on the disease and the age of the patient. So, the doctor will customize it for you.

Maybe, because it is put through an IV, then you have to experience a little pain due to the injection of the IV needle into a vein. However, don't worry, of course it won't last long.

Are there any side effects from doing albumin transfusions?

Albumin is made by the factory, just like any other medicine, so there are side effects that arise after you do an albumin transfusion, namely:

Edema or swelling of certain body parts
Heart palpitations
Headache
Feel nauseous
Shivering
Fever
Itchy skin

In some people, it is possible that a transfusion of albumin will cause allergies. If you experience this after an albumin transfusion, then don't panic. Immediately report it to the doctor who treats you.

If pregnant and breastfeeding women experience low albumin, will they be transfused too?

So far, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that albumin transfusions can harm the uterus. However, you should consult your doctor first if you experience low albumin and then it is recommended to transfuse albumin.

Meanwhile, albumin is not proven to pass into breast milk and affect child development. However, once again you should discuss this with your doctor if you are breastfeeding.