What to Do if Serum Albumin Is Low?

December 19, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 70% of hospitalized adults over 70 have low albumin, a condition known as hypoalbuminemia, which is often a symptom of another underlying health issue. Therefore, if your serum albumin is low, the priority is to identify and address the root cause, working closely with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized treatment plan.

Quick Summary

Low serum albumin, or hypoalbuminemia, signals an underlying medical issue, not just a dietary problem. Treatment requires consulting a doctor to diagnose and manage the root cause, which may involve dietary changes, medication, or other medical interventions, not just increasing protein intake. Lifestyle adjustments and regular monitoring are also key for managing this condition.

Key Points

Identify the Root Cause: Low serum albumin is typically a symptom of another condition, such as liver or kidney disease, not the primary problem.
Consult a Healthcare Provider: Immediate medical consultation is essential for a proper diagnosis and to develop a tailored treatment plan.
Increase Protein Intake: Dietary changes that incorporate high-quality protein sources like lean meats, fish, eggs, and dairy can help support albumin production.
Manage Underlying Conditions: The primary treatment for low albumin involves addressing the root cause, which may require medication, treatment for infection, or other medical interventions.
Consider Intravenous Infusions for Severe Cases: In rare, severe instances, temporary albumin infusions may be used in a hospital setting to stabilize levels.
Adopt Supportive Lifestyle Habits: Limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, and staying well-hydrated are important lifestyle adjustments that support overall health and albumin levels.
Monitor Progress Regularly: Consistent blood tests and follow-ups with your healthcare provider are necessary to track recovery and ensure levels remain stable.

Understanding the Causes of Low Serum Albumin

Low serum albumin, or hypoalbuminemia, is not a standalone disease but rather a marker that something else is going on in the body. Albumin is a critical protein produced by the liver, playing key roles in fluid balance, transporting hormones and nutrients, and repairing tissues. Low levels can stem from several conditions, including problems with the liver, kidneys, and overall nutrition.

Liver and Kidney Issues

The liver is the sole producer of albumin, so liver diseases can significantly impact levels. Chronic conditions like cirrhosis, hepatitis, and fatty liver disease reduce the liver's ability to synthesize this vital protein. Kidney disease can also cause low albumin because damaged kidneys may leak excessive amounts of protein into the urine, a condition known as proteinuria.

Nutritional and Inflammatory Factors

While often associated with malnutrition, especially a lack of protein, low albumin can also be influenced by conditions affecting nutrient absorption. Diseases like Crohn's and celiac disease can disrupt the gastrointestinal tract and lead to protein-losing enteropathy. Furthermore, acute and chronic inflammation, seen in cases of sepsis, severe burns, and autoimmune diseases like lupus, can cause albumin levels to drop as the body's inflammatory response takes precedence.

First Steps: What to Do Next

If a blood test reveals low serum albumin, the first and most important step is to consult your healthcare provider. They will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to pinpoint the specific cause, which is the foundation of any effective treatment plan. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or implement drastic changes without medical guidance.

Medical Diagnosis and Treatment

Your doctor may order additional tests, such as liver function panels or urine analysis, to further investigate the cause. Based on the findings, treatment is directed at the underlying condition.

For liver disease: Management may involve medications to treat hepatitis, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle changes to support liver function.
For kidney disease: Doctors may prescribe blood pressure medications, like ACE inhibitors or ARBs, to reduce protein loss and control symptoms.
For inflammation/infection: Treating the source of inflammation or infection is crucial for normalizing albumin levels.
For severe cases: In critically low situations, intravenous (IV) albumin infusions may be administered in a hospital setting, though this is a temporary solution and not a long-term cure.

Dietary Strategies to Support Albumin Levels

Alongside medical treatment, dietary modifications are essential, particularly if poor nutrition is a contributing factor. A dietitian can help tailor a plan that meets your specific needs while being mindful of any underlying conditions.

Focus on High-Quality Protein

Boosting your intake of high-quality protein provides the necessary building blocks for your body to produce albumin. Aim for a daily protein intake as recommended by your doctor, often around 1.2–1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight.

Here is a list of excellent protein sources to incorporate:

Lean Meats and Poultry: Chicken breast, turkey, and lean beef.
Fish: Salmon, tuna, and cod are rich in protein and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.
Eggs: A great source of high-quality protein, especially egg whites.
Dairy Products: Greek yogurt, cheese, and cottage cheese offer substantial protein.
Legumes and Nuts: Lentils, chickpeas, beans, almonds, and walnuts are great plant-based options.

Increase Overall Caloric Intake

If malnutrition is a concern, ensure you are getting enough calories so that your body uses the protein you eat for producing albumin, rather than for energy. Adding healthy fats like oils or nut butters can help increase calorie density.

Lifestyle Modifications

Certain lifestyle habits can help improve or stabilize albumin levels by supporting the health of the organs responsible for its production. These include:

Limiting Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the liver.
Quitting Smoking: Smoking contributes to systemic inflammation, which can affect albumin levels.
Hydration: Staying properly hydrated is important for overall health and can influence albumin concentration in the blood.

Comparison of Treatment Approaches


Treatment Approach	Key Components	Best For	Considerations
Dietary Intervention	Increasing high-quality protein (e.g., lean meat, fish, eggs, dairy) and overall calories.	Malnutrition and deficiencies, supportive therapy alongside other treatments.	Requires consistency; effectiveness depends on addressing the underlying cause.
Targeting Underlying Cause	Medications for kidney disease (e.g., ACE inhibitors), treating infections with antibiotics, or managing liver disease.	Primary treatment for cases caused by liver failure, kidney issues, infections, or inflammation.	Treatment is specific to the diagnosed root cause; patient compliance is key.
Albumin Infusion	Intravenous administration of human albumin in a hospital setting.	Severe, critically low albumin levels caused by conditions like burns or advanced liver disease.	A temporary fix, not a permanent solution; comes with potential risks.
Lifestyle Changes	Limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, staying hydrated, and regular exercise.	Long-term support and prevention of hypoalbuminemia.	Part of a holistic approach; most effective when combined with other treatments.

Conclusion

Discovering you have low serum albumin is a crucial indicator that your body needs medical attention. The most important step is to work with your healthcare provider to identify and treat the underlying medical condition responsible, which could range from liver or kidney disease to malnutrition or chronic inflammation. While dietary adjustments focusing on high-quality protein are a vital supportive measure, they are rarely the complete solution on their own. By combining medical treatment with proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices, you can effectively manage low serum albumin and improve your overall health. Remember that recovery takes time and consistent monitoring, so maintaining a close relationship with your medical team is essential for long-term success.

For more information on the critical functions of albumin and its importance in overall health, you can consult this resource from SiPhox Health: What does albumin do in the body?.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common causes of low serum albumin include liver disease (like cirrhosis), kidney disease (such as nephrotic syndrome), malnutrition, malabsorption issues, chronic inflammatory diseases, and severe infections like sepsis or extensive burns.

To help increase albumin, focus on high-quality protein sources such as lean meats, poultry, fish (like salmon and tuna), eggs, and dairy products. Plant-based proteins like legumes, nuts, and seeds are also beneficial.

Albumin levels don't change quickly due to its long half-life. Nutritional changes might show results in 2-4 weeks, while treating underlying chronic diseases like liver or kidney issues may take several weeks or months.

Low albumin can be a serious issue, as it is often a marker of a significant underlying health problem. If left untreated, it can lead to complications such as fluid retention (edema), increased risk of infection, and poor wound healing.

Protein supplements can be helpful for increasing overall protein intake, especially if malnutrition is a cause. However, they should be used under the guidance of a healthcare provider and are not a cure for the underlying condition causing the low albumin.

Yes, lifestyle changes are important. Limiting or avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, staying adequately hydrated, and exercising regularly can all support liver and kidney health, which in turn helps regulate albumin levels.

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe swelling in your legs, ankles, or abdomen, sudden weight gain, difficulty breathing, confusion, or the yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice).