My Dialysis Team Meeting took place as scheduled this morning. We had a meeting that did not resolve my low Albumin reading from my latest lab. Recall that it dropped from 3.6 to 3.1 and an acceptable reading is over 4. We discussed six ways from Sunday what may have changed in my life and/or lifestyle to merit this change with no conclusions. As often happens in medicine, we’re now going to wait and see what my labs are as a result of my next scheduled lab on 9/6/2024. I will be doing an adequacy test at that time also so there will be a lot on the table.
One unique aspect of the meeting was that my dietician provided me with a 32 oz bottle of LiquaCel to try out as a protein supplement. My nephrologist also approved my use of protein powder to improve my protein intake. I’ve included a PR-type video below from the company that makes LiquaCel to familiarize readers with their products.
As a dialysis dietitian, I’m enjoying reading through your journey as I have happened upon your blog by a google search as I am desiring more learning in my journey of helping those living with the aide of dialysis and trying to achieve lab values in range to goals. 🙂
*Just a few things that come to mind in relation to your posts concerning albumin level. Not to be commenting specifically to your condition because I am not your dietitian nor do I have any access to your medical history or labs. Just a mere comment on albumin of aspects I have not read in your posts that I have been able to see pertaining to the subject.*
*The amount of protein consumed impacts albumin because the protein provides building blocks for the albumin molecule (this factor your posts have mentioned). Albumin is built in the liver. Therefore, liver function impacts the albumin value. Albumin is measured as a concentration amount in the blood, if there is extra fluid, the concentration will be lower for the albumin value. Illness, infection, and wound healing can all lower albumin due to the use of albumin in healing all of those conditions as well as sometimes the appetite being impacted and the amount of protein being consumed being lower. Elevated blood glucose can make more thirst which can trigger more drinking of water that can add extra fluid to the body that can create lower albumin. Extra sodium intake can also trigger more thirst that can do the same.
*Maybe these aspects can help in your continued striving to understand and achieve albumin goals. Keep up the great work! Talk specifically about your situation with your personal medical professional team, these are just general additional aspects to albumin to my knowledge.
*This information is not intended to be used as your medical nutrition therapy. Information provided is general awareness of aspects that can impact albumin.*