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Albumin Fraction – Definition, Normal Values & Significance

The albumin fraction describes the proportion of albumin among total serum proteins, as measured by serum protein electrophoresis. It reflects liver function and nutritional status.

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Things worth knowing about "Albumin Fraction"

The albumin fraction describes the proportion of albumin among total serum proteins, as measured by serum protein electrophoresis. It reflects liver function and nutritional status.

What Is the Albumin Fraction?

The albumin fraction refers to the percentage or absolute amount of albumin relative to total serum proteins, as determined by serum protein electrophoresis. In this laboratory procedure, proteins in blood serum are separated by size and electrical charge using an electric field. The resulting fractions appear as peaks or bands, with the albumin fraction consistently being the largest and most prominent.

Albumin itself is the most abundant protein in human blood plasma and is produced exclusively by the liver. It carries out numerous vital functions throughout the body.

Functions of Albumin in the Body

Maintaining oncotic pressure: Albumin retains fluid within blood vessels, preventing fluid from leaking into surrounding tissues and causing edema (swelling).
Transport protein: It carries fatty acids, hormones, bilirubin, drugs, and other substances through the bloodstream.
Buffering capacity: Albumin contributes to the regulation of the acid-base balance.
Nutritional marker: The albumin fraction serves as an indicator of nutritional status and hepatic synthesis capacity.

Normal Values of the Albumin Fraction

In a healthy adult, the albumin fraction typically accounts for 55 to 65% of total serum proteins during electrophoresis. The absolute serum albumin level is normally between 35 and 52 g/L. Slight variations may occur depending on the laboratory and method used.

Causes of a Decreased Albumin Fraction

A reduced albumin fraction (hypoalbuminemia) can indicate various diseases or conditions:

Liver diseases: Liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, or liver failure reduce albumin synthesis.
Malnutrition: Insufficient protein intake leads to decreased albumin production.
Kidney diseases: In nephrotic syndrome, albumin is lost through the urine.
Chronic inflammation: Inflammatory conditions such as Crohn disease or rheumatoid arthritis can lower the albumin fraction.
Burns or severe trauma: Protein loss through wounds reduces albumin levels.
Malabsorption: Intestinal disorders impairing nutrient absorption can result in albumin deficiency.

Causes of an Increased Albumin Fraction

An elevated albumin fraction is rare and usually of limited clinical significance. It may indicate dehydration, in which proteins become concentrated in the blood.

Diagnosis and Clinical Relevance

The albumin fraction is determined as part of serum protein electrophoresis, a standard procedure in clinical laboratory diagnostics. A direct measurement of serum albumin is often performed alongside. The combination of both values enables accurate assessment of liver and kidney function, nutritional status, and chronic disease.

A decreased albumin fraction is an important clinical finding and should always be interpreted in the context of other laboratory results and the medical history of the patient.

Treatment for an Altered Albumin Fraction

Treatment is always directed at the underlying cause:

In liver disease, therapy targets the primary condition.
In malnutrition, a high-protein diet or enteral and parenteral nutritional therapy is recommended.
In kidney disease, specific nephrological treatment is initiated.
In severe cases, intravenous albumin administration (e.g., in liver cirrhosis with ascites) may be necessary.

References

Kasper DL et al.: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 20th edition. McGraw-Hill Education, 2018.
Lothar Thomas: Labor und Diagnose. Indikation und Bewertung von Laborbefunden fuer die medizinische Diagnostik. 8th edition. TH-Books, 2012.
World Health Organization (WHO): Serum albumin concentrations and their association with disease. WHO Technical Report, Geneva.

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