Guest guest Posted August 11, 2001 Report Share Posted August 11, 2001 Can anyone tell me if our protein levels can be checked when we have our extensive blood work done up? Kinda worries me since Joe got so sick and he was probably as diligent as they come. Thanks Jo Ann M Dr.K 7/27/01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2001 Report Share Posted August 11, 2001 JoAnn, Yep, they check your protein levels too! Ours have been very good for the last 8 months. Judie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2001 Report Share Posted August 11, 2001 At 12:58 PM -0700 8/11/01, joannm@... wrote: >Can anyone tell me if our protein levels can be checked when we have our >extensive blood work done up? That is normally included. For example, Dr. Rabkin's lab orders: CALCIUM CARNITINE CBC CHOLESTEROL WITH FRACTIONATED HDL/LDL COMPREHENSIVE CHEMISTRY PANEL COPPER FOLATE IRON LIVER FUNCTION PANEL MAGNESIUM PTH, intact T3, T4, TSH VITAMIN A VITAMIN B6 VITAMIN B12 VITAMIN D, 125 HYDROXY ZINC Dr. Elariny's orders: CBC, CHEM-7, iron, Ferritin, B-12, Foliate, Albumin, Intact PTH, Calcium, Phosphorus, Alkaline Phosphatase, Zinc, Selenium, Manganese, Cholesterol profile, Triglycerides The serum albumin is a test for protein, I believe (somebody jump in and correct me if I am wrong). From http://www.labtestsonline.com: How is it used? Blood albumin testing is used to help determine if a patient has liver or kidney disease (nephrotic syndrome) or if the body is not absorbing enough amino acids (the building blocks of protein). When is it ordered? A physician orders a blood albumin test (usually along with several other tests) if a person seems to have symptoms of a liver disorder or nephrotic syndrome. Doctors may also order blood albumin tests when they want to check a person's nutritional status, for example, when someone has lost a lot of weight. What does the test result mean? Low albumin levels can suggest liver disease. Other liver enzyme tests are ordered to determine exactly which type of liver disease. Since albumin is recycled by the liver to make other necessary proteins, low albumin levels can also suggest conditions associated with acute or chronic inflammation. Low albumin levels may also suggest conditions in which your body does not properly absorb or digest protein, such as Crohn's disease or sprue, in which large volumes of protein are lost from the intestines. High albumin levels may mean that you are dehydrated. 1. Is anyone at high risk for abnormal albumin levels? Individuals who have chronic liver disease and kidney disorders are at highest risk for developing abnormal albumin levels. In addition, individuals whose GI tract doesn't absorb nutrients properly and individuals who have prolonged diarrhea can develop abnormal albumin levels. Low total protein levels can suggest a liver disorder, a kidney disorder, or a disorder in which protein is not digested or absorbed properly. More specific tests, such as albumin and liver enzyme tests, must be performed to make an accurate diagnosis. High total protein levels can indicate dehydration or some types of cancer that lead to an accumulation of an abnormal protein (such as multiple myeloma). I would guess that Dr. Rabkin's " Comprehensive Chemistry Panel " would also test for serum albumin. --Steve -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2001 Report Share Posted August 11, 2001 At 12:58 PM -0700 8/11/01, joannm@... wrote: >Can anyone tell me if our protein levels can be checked when we have our >extensive blood work done up? That is normally included. For example, Dr. Rabkin's lab orders: CALCIUM CARNITINE CBC CHOLESTEROL WITH FRACTIONATED HDL/LDL COMPREHENSIVE CHEMISTRY PANEL COPPER FOLATE IRON LIVER FUNCTION PANEL MAGNESIUM PTH, intact T3, T4, TSH VITAMIN A VITAMIN B6 VITAMIN B12 VITAMIN D, 125 HYDROXY ZINC Dr. Elariny's orders: CBC, CHEM-7, iron, Ferritin, B-12, Foliate, Albumin, Intact PTH, Calcium, Phosphorus, Alkaline Phosphatase, Zinc, Selenium, Manganese, Cholesterol profile, Triglycerides The serum albumin is a test for protein, I believe (somebody jump in and correct me if I am wrong). From http://www.labtestsonline.com: How is it used? Blood albumin testing is used to help determine if a patient has liver or kidney disease (nephrotic syndrome) or if the body is not absorbing enough amino acids (the building blocks of protein). When is it ordered? A physician orders a blood albumin test (usually along with several other tests) if a person seems to have symptoms of a liver disorder or nephrotic syndrome. Doctors may also order blood albumin tests when they want to check a person's nutritional status, for example, when someone has lost a lot of weight. What does the test result mean? Low albumin levels can suggest liver disease. Other liver enzyme tests are ordered to determine exactly which type of liver disease. Since albumin is recycled by the liver to make other necessary proteins, low albumin levels can also suggest conditions associated with acute or chronic inflammation. Low albumin levels may also suggest conditions in which your body does not properly absorb or digest protein, such as Crohn's disease or sprue, in which large volumes of protein are lost from the intestines. High albumin levels may mean that you are dehydrated. 1. Is anyone at high risk for abnormal albumin levels? Individuals who have chronic liver disease and kidney disorders are at highest risk for developing abnormal albumin levels. In addition, individuals whose GI tract doesn't absorb nutrients properly and individuals who have prolonged diarrhea can develop abnormal albumin levels. Low total protein levels can suggest a liver disorder, a kidney disorder, or a disorder in which protein is not digested or absorbed properly. More specific tests, such as albumin and liver enzyme tests, must be performed to make an accurate diagnosis. High total protein levels can indicate dehydration or some types of cancer that lead to an accumulation of an abnormal protein (such as multiple myeloma). I would guess that Dr. Rabkin's " Comprehensive Chemistry Panel " would also test for serum albumin. --Steve -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2001 Report Share Posted August 11, 2001 Steve, Thanks for the info on bloodwork. Now that I'm obsessing about whether or not it is feasible for me to have the DS, [with colitis],I checked my most recent bloodwork and my albumin level is smack dab in the middle of normal range. I guess I can rest easy until the next curtain falls!!! Jill Koepke 289/BMI 46 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2001 Report Share Posted August 11, 2001 Steve, Thanks for the info on bloodwork. Now that I'm obsessing about whether or not it is feasible for me to have the DS, [with colitis],I checked my most recent bloodwork and my albumin level is smack dab in the middle of normal range. I guess I can rest easy until the next curtain falls!!! Jill Koepke 289/BMI 46 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2001 Report Share Posted August 12, 2001 Yes- I have my bloodwork done every 3 months and I always have the protein levels. Just request it from your Dr. Ellen(Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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