Ask Dr. Santa Maria: What does it means when your Albumin, Bilirubin and AST are all low?
Albumin is a major blood protein that will either go up or down in many different situations. Poor nutritional intake or excess protein losses through bowel movements or urination can cause it to drop. It will also drop when there is systemic inflammation (also known as a reverse acute phase reactant.)
Liver disease can also cause a drop in albumin, because the liver actually makes the albumin. Albumin acts as a carrier for many substances through the bloodstream – this includes calcium.
Thus the serum total calcium level will look artificially low when albumin levels are low. So calcium must always be interpreted in the context of albumin. The other two that you mentioned are less significant when they are low versus when they are high (which would be another whole discussion).
Disclaimer: Even though this information is coming from a qualified medical professional, it should not be taken as a personalized diagnosis or treatment plan. POTS patients in particular tend to have multiple medical issues including secondary diagnoses of Mast Cell and Ehlers Danlos Disease. Please discuss this information with your doctor for a more personalized approach. Read our full disclaimer here.
