What causes elevated prealbumin levels?

In general, elevated prealbumin levels may be associated with factors such as nutritional excess, intense physical exercise, liver dysfunction, nephrotic syndrome, and cirrhosis. It is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation to identify the underlying cause and receive appropriate symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Nutritional Excess

Long-term consumption of high-protein, high-calorie foods may lead to nutritional overload and accelerated protein metabolism, thereby causing elevated prealbumin levels. Adjusting dietary patterns by reducing intake of high-protein and high-calorie foods while increasing dietary fiber can help promote nutritional balance.

2. Intense Physical Exercise

Engaging excessively in fitness activities or strenuous exercises such as running may accelerate the turnover rate of body tissue cells and enhance protein catabolism, potentially leading to increased concentration of prealbumin in the blood. Adequate rest along with sufficient hydration and nutrient intake can aid in physical recovery.

3. Liver Dysfunction

Liver damage caused by factors such as viral infections or parasites may reduce the liver's ability to synthesize proteins, potentially resulting in changes in prealbumin levels—including elevation—and may be accompanied by symptoms such as jaundice, ascites, and hepatic pain. Patients may follow medical advice to take medications such as compound glycyrrhizin tablets, diammonium glycyrrhizinate enteric-coated tablets, or ursodeoxycholic acid tablets for improvement.

4. Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is primarily caused by immune system abnormalities, genetic factors, or infections, which may damage the glomerular filtration membrane, leading to significant protein loss in urine. This stimulates the liver to produce more proteins for compensation, possibly resulting in elevated prealbumin levels. Symptoms may also include edema, proteinuria, and hyperlipidemia. Patients should follow medical instructions to use medications such as prednisone acetate tablets, methylprednisolone tablets, or azathioprine tablets for treatment.

5. Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis may result from chronic heavy alcohol consumption, bacterial infections, or other factors, potentially impairing the liver’s synthetic capacity. As part of a compensatory response in liver insufficiency, prealbumin levels may occasionally rise. Symptoms may also include ascites and jaundice. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as entecavir tablets, sofosbuvir tablets, or polyene phosphatidylcholine capsules for treatment.

Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits—such as balanced diet, moderate exercise, adequate sleep, and proper hydration—in daily life can help maintain stable prealbumin levels and support overall health.