Low albumin: causes, symptoms and what to do

A low albumin usually does not mean you eat too little protein. More often inflammation or an illness is behind it, and CRP helps tell. More rarely the liver makes less of it, or the kidneys and gut lose it.

What low albumin means

Your liver makes albumin. It drops when your body loses or uses up more of it, or when the liver makes less.

The most common reason is inflammation. During an illness, albumin leaks out of the blood vessels and lasts less long, even though the liver makes more. That is why it is read with CRP.

It also depends on the lab: many reports use wider limits, and often g/L instead of g/dL. Check your own report’s limit first.

What causes low albumin

The first is the most common.

Symptoms

If it is only slightly low, usually none. You more often feel the symptoms of the cause, such as fever or tiredness during an illness.

When it is very low, water leaks out of the blood vessels and collects in the tissues. You may notice:

Very foamy urine can mean protein in the urine: talk to your doctor. These symptoms can have other causes too.

Low albumin in older people

Albumin drops a little with age, even in healthy people. But in older people a low number deserves attention: it often signals an illness, inflammation or eating too little.

It goes along with losing muscle and strength, which is why it matters. Enough protein and moving every day help the muscles, even if they do not always bring albumin back up.

If an older relative has low albumin, take the report to their doctor: the cause is usually looked for first, then the diet.

Which tests to read alongside it

These tests help find the cause.

What your result means

The lower end of the scale, in g/dL. If your report uses g/L, divide by ten.

What to do and what to eat

First the cause is looked for: while it lasts, albumin stays low. Where to start:

When to worry

Talk to your doctor if:

Frequently asked questions

Does low albumin mean I eat too little protein? Usually not, and it is the most common mistake. More often inflammation is behind it, and that lowers it whatever you eat: CRP helps tell. Eating too little matters mostly in older people or after a long illness.

Is low albumin serious? Usually not, if it is only a little below the limit and you feel well: a passing illness is often behind it. What matters is the cause, to find with your doctor, especially if you have swelling or are older.

How long does albumin take to come back up? Weeks, not days: albumin changes slowly. Once the cause is gone, for example inflammation, it usually comes back up within a few weeks.

Can low albumin make your legs swell? Yes, when it is very low: water leaks out of the blood vessels and collects in the tissues, above all in the legs and ankles. But swollen legs often have other causes: talk to your doctor.

Low albumin in pregnancy: is it normal? Usually yes: in pregnancy the blood gets more diluted and the number drops. If your face or hands swell suddenly, contact your obstetrician the same day. With a severe headache, blurred vision or pain in your upper belly, call 112 or go to the emergency department.

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