Monday, September 2, 2013

Q: Which common conditions encountered in ICU may give falsely normal or higher level of Pre-albumin?



Answer:
1. Alcoholics may have elevated levels of prealbumin after binge drinking. In acute alcohol intoxication, a leakage of proteins from damaged hepatic cells may cause a rise in the prealbumin level.  It takes about a week, when levels return to baseline.
2. Prednisone therapy may cause falsely higher prealbumin levels.
3. Patients on chronic progestational agents may have falsely higher prealbumin level.





Reference:

1.  Staley MJ, Naidoo D, Pridmore SA. Concentrations of transthyretin (prealbumin) and retinol-binding protein in alcoholics during alcohol withdrawal [Letter]. Clin Chem. 1984;30:1887.


2Oppenheimer JH, Werner SC. Effect of prednisone on thyroxine-binding proteins. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1966;26:715–21.

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