Has your doctor told you that you have low protein levels? Also known as hypoalbuminemia, it is a condition that chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients often face as their disease progresses. 

With low protein levels, you may assume you need to include more protein in your diet, but this is usually not true. Hypoalbuminemia is often a side effect of another condition. Here is an overview of hypoalbuminemia’s symptoms, causes, and treatment options.* 

What is hypoalbuminemia?

Albumin is a type of protein found in your body and makes up approximately 50% of the protein in the blood. It is responsible for transporting different substances like vitamins, enzymes, and hormones to different parts of the body. 

When albumin levels are low, it is referred to as hypoalbuminemia. It occurs when the body is not able to produce enough albumin, or when too much is lost in urine or stool. 

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms will vary depending on the cause of the hypoalbuminemia. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Weak muscles
• Jaundice
• Swelling in the feet and legs
• Dark-colored urine and/or frequent urination
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of appetite

What are the causes?

Hypoalbuminemia is considered a side effect of another condition. The most common underlying causes are:

• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Heart failure
• Malnutrition or a vitamin deficiency
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Infections

Other causes include:

• Stress
• Thyroid disease
• Diabetes
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Lupus
• Recent hospitalization, especially if you’ve received fluid from an IV, had surgery, used a ventilator, or needed a cardiopulmonary bypass machine (CBM)

How is it diagnosed?

A normal albumin level ranges between 3.5 to 5.5 grams per deciliter (g/dL) of blood. After a blood test, such as a metabolic or liver panel, your healthcare provider will inform you if your albumin is too high, normal, or too low. If it is too low, you will be diagnosed with hypoalbuminemia. 

How is it treated?

Hypoalbuminemia’s treatment varies based on its cause. A treatment plan should be developed with and monitored by your healthcare provider. Some treatments for hypoalbuminemia could include:

• Eating a well-balanced diet to address malnutrition and heart disease
• Taking blood pressure medication to address kidney disease and heart failure
• Taking antibiotics to treat a severe burn
• Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat inflammation 
• Undergoing dialysis for kidney failure
• Limiting alcohol consumption or avoiding it entirely

What is the outlook for hypoalbuminemia?

Ideally, working with your doctor to develop a treatment plan should help to improve albumin levels. If hypoalbuminemia persists, it can lead to or worsen:

• Malnutrition, if you lose your appetite
• Liver or kidney disease
• Heart failure (circulatory collapse)

What questions should I ask my doctor if I have hypoalbuminemia?

Your doctor should be able to answer your questions regarding your hyperalbuminemia. Some helpful questions include:

• What is the underlying condition causing my hypoalbuminemia?
• Are there side effects to the medicine you prescribed to treat the condition that caused the hypoalbuminemia?
• How often should I have my albumin levels checked?
• Are there any dietary changes I should make to improve my albumin levels?

Hypoalbuminemia can be a serious condition. It is recommended that you follow the treatment plan as advised by your doctor, to manage the condition that caused hypoalbuminemia and alleviate your symptoms. 

*Hypoalbuminemia: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Outlook. (2022, March 18). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22529-hypoalbuminemia