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Reason for decreased ALBUMIN and low ALB/GLOB ratio.

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I'm worried about decreased Albumin, and low Alb/Glob ratio - these are significantly different from my results in February.

I was hypothyroid last year at TSH 4.62 - I took 12.5mg of Synthroid daily (any more than that made me sick, this is less medicine than what they give an infant).

I began to have palpitations so went to doctor - I stopped taking synthroid over a week before these blood tests.
I have a history of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy since 2000 - fully recovered, EF 60%, no enlargement.

Do I need to be concerned with the drastic changes in Proteins from February to now?

BLOOD WORK ON 7/1/2014:

Total Protein 7.6 g/dl [range 6.4-8.4]
Albumin 3.7 [range 3.5-5.2]
Alb/Glob Ratio 0.9 [range 1.0-2.2] *LOW
TSH <.005 mclU/ml [range 0.360-3.740] *LOW
T3 Free 5.40 pg/ml [range 2.18-3.98] *HIGH
Sodium 139 mEqL [range 136-145]
Potassium 4.0mEq/L [range 3.5-5.1]
Chloride 104 mEq/L [range 98-110]
CO2 27 mEq/L [Range 23-31]
AGAP 8 [range 5-15]
Calcium 9.0 mg/dl [range 8.8-10.5]
BUN 6mg/dl [range 8-21] *LOW
Creat .53mg/dl [range 0.50-1.20]
GFR .60
Glucose 84mg/dl [range 65-110]
AST 26 Unit/L [range 15-37]
ALT 42 Unit/L [range 12-78]
Bili Total .3mg/dl [range 0.2-1.0]
Alk Phos 79 unit/L [range 50-136]


BLOOD WORK ON 2/10/2014
Name Value Reference Range
SODIUM 139 136-144 MMOL/L
POTASSIUM 4.4 3.4-5.1 MMOL/L
CHLORIDE 104 100-109 MMOL/L
CARBON DIOXIDE 29 24-32 MMOL/L
ANION GAP 10 9-14
BLOOD UREA NITROGEN 9 7-20 MG/DL
CREATININE 0.76 0.60-1.20 MG/DL
GFR, ESTIMATED > 60 >60 ML/MIN
GFR, ESTIMATED (AF-AM) > 60 >60 ML/MIN
BUN/CREATININE RATIO 12 6-20
GLUCOSE 81 65-100 MG/DL
CALCIUM 9.1 8.6-10.3 MG/DL
BILI, TOTAL 0.5 0.3-1.4 MG/DL
AST 21 15-44 IU/L
ALT 31 12-70 IU/L
TOTAL PROTEIN 6.7 6.1-7.9 G/DL
ALBUMIN 4.1 3.3-4.6 G/DL
ALBUMIN/GLOBULIN RATIO 1.6 0.8-2.2 RATIO
GLOBULIN 2.6 1.9-3.8 G/DL
ALK PHOS 67 41-126 U/L
HEMOLYSIS INDEX MINT/GOLD 0

Category: Hematologist

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Category: Hematologist
 31 Doctors Online

Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com.
Dear madam,
Your albumin is 3.7 as per reports which is within normal range even though it is more close to the minimal value. The ratio may get altered if your globulin rises ( such as in case of any recent infections ) or when albumin decreases ( probably over-utilisation of albumin in the body when thyroid hormones are active ). I would suspect your thyroid status for the change in ratio. Since your TSH is low, along with the raised T3, it indicates hyperthyroidism. The synthyroid could have been responsible for this. I would advice that you consult your physician or an endocrinologist for further management of your thyroid status.
I suggest you to be on a good protein diet. Other than the Thyroid values, I do not see any of concern in your blood work.
Feel free to ask queries.
Regards.


Patient replied :

Wonderful, just to clarify -
TSH can reduce Albumin Globulin can increase with Albumin Decreases?
Do I understand that correctly?
Thank you!


Hello.
Let me clarify.
Albumin-Globulin ratio can decrease due to one of these two causes:
-An increase in Globulin, which can occur in infections.
OR
-A decrease in Albumin, which can occur due to various reasons. In your case, it is likely that your altered thyroid hormones could have affected its levels.
So either one can be a reason for the mildly decreased ratio in your case.
I hope that clarifies your doubt. Feel free to ask queries.
Thank you.


Dr. Prasad Eswaran
Category: Hematologist
Experience: 
Doctorate in Medicine (Fellowship in Oncology), DM,  Madras Medical College & Govt. General Hospital, Chennai, India.

Doctor of Medicine (Residency in Radiation Oncology) , MD, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India, 2004-06.

Diploma in Medical Radiology & Therapy (Residency in Radiation Oncology), D.M.R.T, Madras Medical College & Govt. General Hospital, Chennai, India, 2004-06.

Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery - M.B.B.S, Govt. Stanley Medical College & Hospital, Chennai, India, 1998-2004.
Dr. Prasad Eswaran and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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