Definition
Makes up 60% of the total plasma protein in adults. It may be increased with dehydration. Albumin (and prealbumin) will usually be low in those with protein-calorie malnutrition (a catabolic state), liver disease, or severe illness. The normal adult albumin level is 3.5–5.0 g/dL. Prealbumin has a shorter half-life than albumin and so can be used in a more timely fashion to follow the effects of nutritional supports.
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© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Brashears, J.H. (2013). Albumin. In: Brady, L.W., Yaeger, T.E. (eds) Encyclopedia of Radiation Oncology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-85516-3_239
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-85516-3_239
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
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