[vince]

Albumin levels dropping

by vince on Thu Jan 27, 2011 5:55 pm

My lab's on November 17, 2010 showed my albumin level at 3.5. My new labs as of January 5, 2011 show a decrease to 3.3 does this indicate disease progression or just stabilization?

Thank you

Vince

[Charlotte]

Re: Albumin levels dropping

by Charlotte on Sat Jan 29, 2011 1:55 pm

Are these your first two albumin tests, or do you have a longer history of results? If so, it would be helpful to know what your other levels were. I'm not really sure if this amount of a decrease is something to worry about or if it'll bounce back next month.

That being said, I think 3.5 is the cutoff typically used to distinguish stage I myeloma from stage II.

Can you call and ask your doctor about this?

[vince]

Re: Albumin levels dropping

by vince on Sat Jan 29, 2011 3:12 pm

Thank you charlotte for your reply. I will get info you requested.

thanks again

vince

[Dr. Craig Hofmeister]

Re: Albumin levels dropping

by Dr. Craig Hofmeister on Sat Jan 29, 2011 7:17 pm

Albumin is a measure of overall health. In general your albumin is also the largest protein circulating in your blood. If you get sick (for any reason), your albumin will drop.

If your myeloma progresses, your albumin can drop, but this is not a direct measure and I would not use albumin as a surrogate for the state of your myeloma.