Question:
Total Protein and Albumin are dropping...concerned?

I just got my one year lab work done and my total protein and albumin are dropping. STILL normal, but the trend is down. My TP, pre-op: 8.1, 6mos: 7.4, 1yr: 6 (norm 6-8.3).My albumin, pre-op: 4.4, 6mos: 3.9, 1yr: 3.8 (norm 3.5-4.8). I'm eating/drinking about 130 grams/protein a day now. Do I need more?? Maybe I'm worrying over nothing?? Everything else looks good, my potassium is borderline at 3.4. Dietician said I'm drinking too much water (~200oz/day), might that be it? Thanks everyone!!! Terri    — Sungurl B. (posted on May 20, 2004)

May 20, 2004
Are you using a whey protein? Just asking because I have heard a fellow WLS patient say their albumin was dropping and was attributed to them using a non-whey protein.
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 20, 2004
Yep, I use whey protein. Mainly Real Meals, and occasionally a Pro V 60 shake. Usually do 2 shakes a day, one in the morning and one at night. My dietician just told me to drop to one a day. I'm debating that now considering the labs. Right now I get 60g/day in shakes and the rest in food.
   — Sungurl B.

May 20, 2004
I read your profile, and I see you're a distal. I'm not distal, but I know many who are, and they don't absorb the protein from food very well. You probably need more than 2 shakes a day of a good pre-digested whey protein. I know ProV60 is good, but I can't speak for Real Meals. Most nutritionists and dieticians are of the old school and live by the food pyramid, which even the FDA now says should be upside down. It may be a trial & error thing, but I'd suggest getting in at least a couple more shakes a day, and maybe start salting your food a bit more if they're not willing to give you potassium supplements, and have your labs checked again in 3 months. See where it takes the numbers and adjust accordingly. There's never a one size fits all in our game.
   — Leslie F.

May 21, 2004
Umm, yeah- 200 oz of liquid in a day is ALOT. Also, 130 grams of protein is a lot. So...you should probably cut back on the liquids a little and take a look at how you're getting your protein. Try to get it from solid food sources or if you must, for some reason, use the type of protein powder your doctor recommends. Just curious...why do you drink 200 oz of liquid a day and eat 130 g of protein a day? That's on the very high side for what I'm used to seeing as a recommendation.
   — LMCLILLY

May 21, 2004
Thanks for the answers! I drink so much because I'm thirsty ALL the time, I don't try to push liquids, it just comes out to that much at the end of the day. My dietician said to slow down the liquids, my surgeon said don't worry about it, drink up. As for the amount of protein, I was shooting for 80-100, but I added my second protein drink in the evenings to help curb my snacking some, that bumped it up to the 130's. Thanks again!!
   — Sungurl B.