Pre-albumin protein malnutrition
Prealbumin is also called transthyretin. (serum)
Applications for measurement of transthyretin in the blood are:
- nutritional status examination
- misunderstood thyroid disorders
The blood value of the protein Transthyretin (TTR) is a good indicator is protein nutritional status.
Transthyretin is primarily a transport protein for the thyroid hormone T4,
Prealbumin is also a carrier protein for retinol-binding protein (RBP). This prevents transthyretin from eliminating vitamin A by excretion through the kidney.
In cases of protein malnutrition (protein) and/or liver synthesis, prealbumin is reduced in the blood. This is a good current indicator because this substance is gone from the body again after about 1-2 days. (With regular albumin this is about 14 days half-life).
What do the results say?
Decreased transthyretin values indicate protein malnutrition, but can also occur when the liver produces less prealbumin. It therefore also says something about the liver. Elevated values occur when using the contraceptive pill and when using steroids, among other things.
Reference values: result is good if it is between 200 - 400 mg/l.
