Albumin / FITC (polyclonal), RPab

Summary and Explanation

The albumins are a family of globular proteins, the mostcommon of which are the serum albumins. Albumins arecommonly found in blood plasma and differ fromother blood proteins in that they arenot glycosylated. Albumin functions primarily as a carrierprotein for steroids, fatty acids, and thyroid hormones andplays a role in stabilizing extracellular fluid volume. Mutations in this gene on chromosome 4 result in variousanomalous proteins. 

Low albumin (hypoalbuminemia) may be caused by liverdisease, nephrotic syndrome, burns, protein-losing enteropathy, malabsorption, malnutrition, late pregnancy, artefact, genetic variations and malignancy. High albumin (hyperalbuminemia) is almost always caused bydehydration. In some cases of retinol (Vitamin A) deficiency, the albumin level can be elevated to high-normal values.

It has been reported in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)patients an increased prevalence of IgG autoantibodies against human serum albumin (anti-HSA IgG) that are associated with SLE disease activity.