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Difference between Albumin and Microalbumin
The liver is responsible for producing albumin, a protein that is subsequently distributed throughout the body. The kidneys secrete a trace amount of albumin called microalbumin.
What is Albumin?
Albumin is a globular protein that is made by liver cells and then secreted into the blood plasma.
Structure and properties − Sixty-six percent of the protein in blood plasma is albumin protein, which transports numerous chemicals and helps maintain the stability of other blood proteins. Albumin is a globular protein that originates from the covalent bonding of multiple alpha helices. We can estimate a molecular weight of 66 kDa for the albumin.
Formation and function − Hepatocytes in the liver convert proalbumin into the mature protein albumin. Once albumin is formed from preproalbumin in the Golgi apparatus, it is exported from the liver cell and circulates freely in the blood. Breast milk contains a variety of amino acids that are essential for a growing newborn. Albumin is a very versatile transport protein, and it may bind to a wide variety of chemicals, including certain drugs like warfarin and methotrexate. Fats, hormones, and ions are all carried by albumin via the circulatory system to the cells that require them.
Diagnostic use − Albumin levels in the blood are used to evaluate a patient's nutritional state as well as their liver and kidney function. There should ideally be 4.0 g/dL of albumin in the blood plasma. A low albumin level in the blood can also be caused by severe inflammation in the body, which can result from a range of illnesses including sepsis or burn injuries
What is Microalbumin?
Microalbumin is a kind of albumin found in extremely minute quantities; its measurement is used as an indicator of organ health.
Structure and properties − Because it is just a very little quantity of albumin protein ejected by the kidney nephrons, microalbumin possesses the same characteristics and performs the same activities as albumin.
Formation and function − The presence of a certain concentration of microalbumin in urine may be used as a diagnostic tool in medicine to test for kidney function and monitor fluid balance, and its synthesis and function are identical to those of albumin.
Diagnostic use − Albumin does appear in the urine of healthy persons, but only in trace amounts. Due to the low levels of albumin (about 30-300 mg per day), this is referred to as microalbumin. Microalbuminuria is a measure of the amount of albumin being excreted by the kidneys; high results are indicative of kidney injury, while low values are most likely due to diabetes insipidus, a disorder that disrupts the body's fluid balance. In healthy people, the ratio of albumin to creatinine, or ACR, will be below 3 mg/mmol. This ratio is utilized in diagnosis.
Differences: Albumin and Microalbumin
The following table highlights the major differences between Albumin and Microalbumin −
Characteristics |
Albumin |
Microalbumin |
|---|---|---|
Definition |
Albumin is a protein secreted into the bloodstream by the liver. |
Microalbumin is an extremely tiny volume of albumin that can detect abnormalities in the kidneys. |
Normal levels |
Blood albumin values of 4.0 mg/dL are considered normal for a healthy adult. |
Microalbumin excretion in the urine of a healthy person is typically between 30 and 300 mg every 24 hours, with an ACR ratio of less than 3 mg/mmol. |
Type of test |
You can figure out how much albumin is in your blood by doing a blood test and looking at the results in terms of concentration per deciliter. |
The microalbumin level is determined from a urine sample, and the albumin- to-creatinine ratio is also recorded. |
Fluid tested |
The microalbumin level is determined from a urine sample, and the albumin-to-creatinine ratio is also recorded. |
Urine collected over the course of a day can be tested for a number of useful markers, including microalbumin and the ACR ratio. |
Conclusion
Plasma albumin levels that are abnormally high or low may be an indicator of inflammation, kidney and liver disease, or even malnutrition caused by a lack of protein in the diet.
Microalbumin levels in the urine that fluctuate abnormally over the course of a day may be an indicator of renal disease or diabetes insipidus.
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