Albumin is a protein that is normally found in the blood, and its presence in stool may indicate problems with the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or other health conditions.
Albumin is the major protein in human plasma (40–60%). It is synthesized in the liver depending on the protein uptake. Possible causes of increased albumin in stool include:
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can cause inflammation in the GI tract, leading to the leakage of proteins like albumin into the stool.
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding: If there is bleeding in the GI tract, it can lead to the presence of blood and proteins in the stool, including albumin.
- Malabsorption Disorders: Conditions that affect the absorption of nutrients in the intestines, such as celiac disease or certain types of malabsorption syndromes, can result in the presence of albumin in stool.
- Infections: Certain infections of the GI tract may cause inflammation and result in the presence of albumin in the stool.
Elevated levels of albumin and hemoglobin in stool are observed not only in colorectal carcinomas but also in polyps and during chronic inflammatory diseases (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
