Low Protein in Blood (Hypoproteinemia)

What is low protein in blood?

Low protein in blood (hypoproteinemia) means the protein levels in your blood are below the normal range. Protein builds and maintains your immune system, muscles and organs. Tracking protein levels in blood is one of the many ways for healthcare providers to check on your overall health or diagnose illness.

There are two main types of protein in your blood — albumin and globulin:

• Albumin. Albumin is a protein in your blood plasma. It keeps fluid from leaking from your bloodstream.
• Globulin. Globulin forms blood clots and keeps your liver and kidneys working like they should.

Blood tests may detect lower-than-normal levels of either or both types of protein. You may learn you have hypoproteinemia after a routine blood test. Or your provider may order a blood test because you have symptoms of hypoproteinemia. Many things may affect the level of proteins in your blood, and not all of them are serious medical issues.

What are the symptoms of low protein in blood?

Low protein in your blood may be linked to any different symptoms, including:

• Brittle hair, hair loss and loss of hair pigment
• Dry skin, rashes and sores
• Edema (fluid buildup) in the stomach or lower limbs
• Fatigue
• Frequent infections
• Itchy skin (pruritus)
• Jaundice

What causes hypoproteinemia?

Several conditions and diseases can affect the amount of protein in your blood. Some common causes of hypoproteinemia are:

• Autoimmune disease. Diseases like celiac disease and Crohn’s disease can cause malabsorption.
• Infection or inflammation. Your body needs more protein when you have an infection or a condition that causes inflammation.
• Increased metabolism. Illness or activity can speed up your metabolism, so your body needs more protein than usual.
• Kidney disease. Nephrotic syndrome and other kidney diseases may cause low protein levels in your blood.
• Liver disease. Diseases like cirrhosis and hepatitis can affect your liver’s ability to make and use albumin.
• Malnutrition. This is when your body doesn’t get the nutrients that it needs.
• Pregnancy. You may develop hypoproteinemia during pregnancy and breastfeeding (chestfeeding). In pregnancy, you need more protein to support fetal development. You still need more protein if you’re breastfeeding or chestfeeding your newborn.

Not getting enough protein from the food you eat can also cause hypoproteinemia.

What are the complications of hypoproteinemia?

Hypoproteinemia may be a sign of serious medical conditions like kidney disease or liver disease. Without treatment, these diseases may be life-threatening. Severe hypoproteinemia may lead to kwashiorkor. This is a type of malnutrition that happens in severe protein deficiency.

How do healthcare providers diagnose low protein in blood?

A healthcare provider will do specific blood tests to diagnose low protein in blood. Tests may include:

• Comprehensive metabolic panel, including albumin levels.
• Globulin blood test.

What are normal protein levels in blood?

In this case, blood tests measure levels by grams per deciliter (g/dL). Normal ranges are:

• Total proteins: 6.3 to 8.0 g/dL
• Albumin: 3.9 to 4.9 g/dL
• Globulin: 2.0 to 3.5 g/dL

A total protein test also shows the ratio of albumin to globulin or A/G ratio. The A/G ratio is a measure of the amount of albumin proteins in blood compared to globulins. Typically, your body has slightly more albumin than globulins. A normal A/G ratio is slightly more than 1.

What happens if tests show low protein in blood?

Your healthcare provider will explain what the test results mean in your case. For example, if they think you may have kidney or liver disease, they’ll order additional tests to learn more.

How is hypoproteinemia treated?

Your treatment will depend on the underlying cause. For example, if your protein levels are low due to pregnancy or malnutrition, your healthcare provider may recommend the best ways to boost your protein intake. If you have an eating disorder, liver disease or kidney disease, boosting protein intake may be just one part of your treatment.

Can low protein levels in blood be prevented?

In some cases, eating well can help to keep your protein levels on an even keel. But there are conditions, like liver and kidney disease that can cause low protein in blood. You may not be able to prevent those.

What can I expect if I have hypoproteinemia?

What you can expect depends on the underlying cause. Since several things may cause the condition, your healthcare provider is your best resource for information on what having low protein in your blood means in your situation.

How do I take care of myself?

Protein helps your body to form muscle, transport nutrients and build and repair tissue. Getting enough protein is an important part of eating well. You can take care of yourself by making sure you’re eating a wide range of protein-filled foods.

But hypoproteinemia may be a sign of an underlying condition that requires different kinds of treatment. In that case, a provider will recommend ways you can take care of yourself, like managing treatment side effects.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

That depends on the reason why you have low protein in your blood. Your healthcare provider will explain when you should contact them. For example, they’ll explain symptoms that could be signs your condition is getting worse.