The distribution of exogenous albumin between body compartments has been examined by the injection of radio-labeled albumin. Over the first 2 days, there is a rapid phase of disappearance from the plasma that correlates with the transcapillary exchange rate of 4.5% per hour. The distribution half-time is about
15 hours. Then there is a slower decay of about 3.7% per day with an elimination half time ofabout 19 days.
Albumin is distributed throughout the extracellular compartments, more than
60% of the body albumin pool is located in the extravascular fluid compartment.
The total body albumin in a 70 kg man is estimated to be 350g, it has a half live
of about 13-19 days with a turnover of approximately 15g per day.[2-41