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Suggest Treatment For Rapid Heartbeat And Edema While Suffering From Low Albumin Levels

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Posted on Thu, 23 Jul 2015
Question: Malnourished, I became anemic and developed fluid overload with very low albumin. During the process of diuresis I developed frequent PVCs and rapid heartbeat. Is dehydration contributing to this this problem. I still have fluid overload with weeping blisters on my legs and third space fluid. Do I need to drink more water. Now my albumin levels are restored and my electrolytes are normal. I was very thirsty yesterday and drank a glass of water. For the first time in a week I didn't feel any palpitations. I'm suppose to limit fluid intake, and am worried about this fluid contributing to the third space fluid. My next appointment isn't until next month. Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (52 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No need to drink more fluids

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern.
Your edema is due to low albumin mainly and the low osmotic pressure due to the same. It may be related to malnutrition. Another cause may be a decrease in the pumping action of the heart.
Was a reason for low albumin like a liver or kidney problem checked and excluded?
The PVCs you experienced during the diuretic treatment is likely to have been due to electrolyte abnormalities caused by diuresis.
It would be better for you to eat a high protein diet and restrict salt and fluids.
If you have no cardiac, liver or kidney problem, then an occasional glass of water is not likely to produce any fluid overload or collection in the third space.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (1 hour later)
Hi,
I was on a soy protein diet in hospital with peg. I have no liver or kidney problems and have never had fluid retention. Efforts to get my diet changed were not effective. I think I couldn't absorb the soy protein. Albumin replacement while in hospital helped relieve much of the fluid and restored my blood pressure which had plummeted. Now my albumin is 3.5 my potassium and magnesium are normal, but I have the PVC which I keep thinking are from dehydration. When they ceased several hours after additional fluid, I suspected that I am dehydrated. I am prescribed a salt pill twice daily. TY, XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thanks for the update

Detailed Answer:
Since your blood albumin, potassium, calcium and magnesium are normal, the PVCs may not be significant. A Holter monitoring would confirm. Since there is no other reason for edema, you may have a glass of water without adverse effects.
Two salt pills is your salt allowance for the day. Please confirm with your doctor.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (14 hours later)
Dr XXXXXXX
I'm prescribed the salt because my sodium is low. Could it be that the other labs look normal because I am dehydrated. Which labs would be elevated if not diluted sufficiently. Would dehydration make the albumin look normal. If I were dehydrated would my sodium lab read higher than it actually is. How long does IV albumin continue to affect the labs. I mean if the albumin is normal is that because I had an IV yesterday Does dehydration affect the numbers on a wbc.
thank you
neverending
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (55 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Welcome

Detailed Answer:
In a person who is having edema, the cause of low sodium is mostly dilutional. This is reason why fluid restriction is advised.
Overuse of diuretics lead to intravascular dehydration . Dehydration can make hemoconcentration and all cellular elements like RBCs, WBCs and platelets would be elevated.
The half life of IV albumin is 15 to 20 days.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (28 hours later)
Could rapid heartbeat be caused by low potassium 3.1 and low magnesium 1.9.
I'm having one episode a day for three days. Heart rate 169,169 and 174 about 2 seconds.
Your answers have been very helpful
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Thanks

Detailed Answer:
Glad you appreciate our interaction.
Please let me know the way you recorded the 2 second episodes of tachycardia. Did you have any symptoms during these episodes?
Mild hypokalemia doesn't produce tachycardia.
Severe hypokalemia of less than 2.5 may produce dangerous tachyarrhythmias like ventricular tachycardia or Tosardes de pointes . Your Magnesium level is within the normal range of 1.5 to 2.5 .
Wish you good health
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Noble Zachariah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1974

Answered : 2319 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Rapid Heartbeat And Edema While Suffering From Low Albumin Levels

Brief Answer: No need to drink more fluids Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome and thanks for your query. I understand your concern. Your edema is due to low albumin mainly and the low osmotic pressure due to the same. It may be related to malnutrition. Another cause may be a decrease in the pumping action of the heart. Was a reason for low albumin like a liver or kidney problem checked and excluded? The PVCs you experienced during the diuretic treatment is likely to have been due to electrolyte abnormalities caused by diuresis. It would be better for you to eat a high protein diet and restrict salt and fluids. If you have no cardiac, liver or kidney problem, then an occasional glass of water is not likely to produce any fluid overload or collection in the third space.