What causes low albumin levels?
Sep 24, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Feng
Introduction
In general, low albumin levels may be caused by factors such as age, dietary habits, intense physical activity, glomerulonephritis, or cirrhosis. It is important to maintain a balanced diet, ensure adequate intake of high-quality protein, avoid excessive fatigue, and maintain healthy lifestyle habits to support the health of organs such as the liver and kidneys. If any discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly.
Generally, low albumin levels may be caused by aging, poor dietary habits, intense exercise, glomerulonephritis, cirrhosis, and other factors. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Aging
With advancing age, liver function gradually declines, reducing the liver's ability to synthesize albumin, thereby affecting the concentration of albumin in the blood and leading to lower albumin levels. This can be improved through nutritional supplementation, such as oral amino acids or protein powder, to enhance liver function.
2. Poor Dietary Habits
Long-term unhealthy eating habits can lead to insufficient protein intake, impairing the liver’s synthesis of albumin and resulting in decreased serum albumin concentration and reduced albumin levels. Adjusting the diet by increasing intake of high-quality proteins—such as fish, meat, eggs, and dairy products—is recommended.
3. Intense Exercise
Intense physical activity stimulates the breakdown and metabolism of proteins in the body. Especially when exercise intensity exceeds the body's adaptive capacity, it may cause a temporary decrease in albumin levels. It is important to reasonably plan exercise intensity and duration to avoid overexertion, and to promptly replenish protein and carbohydrates after exercise.
4. Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis is associated with immune abnormalities, infections, and other factors. Inflammation damages the glomerular filtration membrane, allowing large amounts of protein to be excreted in the urine, resulting in proteinuria and consequently reduced albumin levels. Symptoms may include edema and hematuria. Treatment under medical guidance may include medications such as prednisone acetate tablets, furosemide injection, and tacrolimus capsules.
5. Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is commonly caused by factors such as alcohol-induced injury or viral infection. Since the liver is the primary organ responsible for albumin synthesis, liver diseases that damage hepatocytes reduce the liver’s synthetic capacity, leading to low albumin levels. Other possible symptoms include ascites and liver area pain. Under medical supervision, patients may use medications such as diammonium glycyrrhizinate capsules, ursodeoxycholic acid capsules, or hepatocyte growth-promoting factor for injection.
In daily life, maintaining a balanced diet with sufficient high-quality protein intake, avoiding excessive fatigue, and adopting healthy lifestyle habits are essential for preserving the health of organs such as the liver and kidneys, and for preventing low albumin levels.
