Re: [pyrnet]

["Tracy Bassett" <espinay@dynamite.com.au>]

<<I was wondering if anyone on the list knows anything about Albumin and
Bilirubin levels, what they are and/or what they have to do with.  My corgi,
Betty, has been very sick and I just received her blood work results back
and she is on the low range of both of these.  She was also on the low side
of Protein levels...maybe they have something to do with each other <?>  If
anyone knows, I'd appreciate any info.  Thanks.>>Carrie Coffman

Albumin, Bilirubin and total proteins are all part of the liver function
tests.  It's quite possible that if all three values are in the low end of
the range, then you could be looking towards chronic liver disease.  To
get more of a complete view of the state of the liver, one might also expect
to see an increase in the liver enzyme values.

Along with globulins, albumin is a protein that's produced in the liver and
released into the blood.  When there is a low amount of albumin, it's
generally seen as a dysfunction of the liver.  Bilirubin is a component of
the bile that's produced by the liver.  It is formed from the breakdown of
old or dead red blood cells (the 120 day point) in addition to the breakdown
of haemoglobin.  Total blood proteins simply refer to the amount of proteins
found in the blood - these proteins are mainly produced by the liver.

Here is a good site that wil help you read the lab tests:
http://www.ighawaii.com/naturally/newsletter/lab.html

HTH

Tracy Bassett
Canberra, Australia
espinay@dynamite.com.au
visit my webpage at http://members.dynamite.com.au/espinay/index.htm