Question:
protein albumin

hi everyone well im 7 years out and now my protein albumin level dropped down to 1 and my body began to fill with fluid i just did some blood work hoping it went up then u have all these doc not familiar with the surgery talking about reversal im scared to death and cant stop crying anyone ever had this problem thanks bernadette    — turner3315 (posted on June 7, 2007)

June 7, 2007
Hi Bernadette, I am sorry your going through this fear. The only thing I can offer to you is the understanding that they have been doing gastric bypass for at least 35 years. If your doctor is unfamiliar with this, he needs to get familiar. I would guess you are not the first person to have protien levels drop. I am sure there is literature and resources for your doctor to get familar. Are you seeing a internal medicine physician? Have you contacted your surgeon for resources? Hang in there, I am sure there are alternatives for you. I hope you can find some peace of mind and not suffer with this anxiety.
   — Rhonda F.

June 7, 2007
They can give albumin IV....... ask your Dr.see if you cant get your levals up that way. Good luck !! Jenny b wise
   — jbwise

June 7, 2007
Has your urine been tested for protein to make sure you are not losing albumin through your kidneys? A blood level of 1 gm% is pretty low for albumin. Make sure there is not something else going on other than just malabsorbtion. Have you had trouble maintaining your blood protein level before now? Diana
   — fhgt48

June 7, 2007
Bernadette: I am a bariatric surgeon and my staff saw your post and asked me to write you. As you already know, this is a serious life-threatening problem that requires immediate action from a bariatric surgeon AND you. This problem can be solved, your life can get back to normal, but you and your doctor must act now! I will be making recommendations here, that are general and not meant to be interpreted as direct medical advice to you. Hopefully, other folks will benefit from this. Have you contacted your bariatric surgeon about this? If not, do so now. Protein and albumin can be given through an IV, but that only lasts for 24 hours. It may be necessary for your doctor to feed you with a long term IV, to feed you nutrition through your veins. Your doctor may decide that feeding you by a tube placed in your stomach is needed. While all of this sounds horrible, your doctor and you will need to get nutrition in to your body to start making protein. Your body must make the protein from food or supplements, protein or albumin that is given through an IV is not the same and your body does not use it efficiently. I keep mentioning you, because if you have not already done so, you must start back on your high protein food intake of food and shakes. Your doctor can help you determine how much you will need. A bariatric dietitian can help your doctor figure this out. if your doctor(s) are stumped, have them get in touch with a bariatric surgeon to help them. Again I must say, please, you and your doctor act on this immediately, this is a problem that can be fixed, it may require hospitalization, and it will take some time (months) to fix. Both of you must act on this immediately. I wish you good luck on this.
   — dirkrodriguez