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Albumin is a blood plasma protein that is produced in the liver and forms a large proportion of all plasma protein.

The normal range of albumin concentrations in human blood is 3.5 to 5.0 g/dL, and albumin normally constitutes about 60% of plasma protein; all other proteins present in blood plasma are referred to collectively as globulin. Albumin is essential for maintaining the oncotic pressure needed for proper distribution of body fluids between intravascular compartments and body tissues. albumin is negatively charged. the glomerular basement membrane is also negatively charged, this prevents the filtration of albumin in the urine. In nephrotic syndrome, this property is lost, and there is more albumin loss in the urine.

Because smaller animals (for example rats) function at a lower blood pressure, they need less oncotic pressure to balance this, and thus need less albumin to maintain proper fluid distribution.

Functions of albumin:

• Maintains oncotic pressure
• Transports thyroid hormones
• Transports other hormones, particularly fat soluble ones
• Transports fatty acids ("free" fatty acids)
• Transports unconjugated bilirubin
• Transports many drugs
• Competitively binds calcium ions (Ca²⁺)
• Buffers pHAlternate uses: see Ph pH (potential (of) hydrogen) is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution and, therefore, its acidity or alkalinity. The concept was introduced by S. Sorensen in 1909. The p stands for the German potenz mean

Causes of albumin deficiency:

• CirrhosisCirrhosis is the result of damage to the liver cells from toxins, metabolic problems or other causes. As the liver cells die they are replaced by fibrous tissue. Other liver cells regenerate in an abnormal manner, forming nodules surrounded by the fibrous of the liver (most commonly)
• Decreased production (as in starvation)
• Excess excretion by the kidneys (as in nephrotic syndromeNephrotic syndrome is a disorder where the kidneys have been damaged, causing them to leak protein from the blood into the urine. Signs and symptoms The most common sign of nephrotic syndrome is oedema of the periphery which is pitting (i. leaves a little)
• Excess loss in bowel (protein losing enteropathy)