Why would my protein count be low? Understanding the causes of hypoproteinemia

December 18, 2025 •

3 min read

Abnormally low protein levels in the blood, known as hypoproteinemia, can stem from various underlying issues and is a common finding in hospitalized patients, particularly older adults. It can stem from simple dietary deficiencies, or indicate more complex problems related to the liver, kidneys, or digestive system.

Quick Summary

Low protein counts can be caused by inadequate dietary intake, poor nutrient absorption, or underlying medical conditions like liver or kidney disease. An accurate diagnosis is necessary to address the root cause and restore healthy protein levels.

Key Points

Underlying Causes: A low protein count, or hypoproteinemia, is a symptom of another condition, not a disease on its own.
Organ Dysfunction: Liver disease can impair protein production, while kidney disease can cause protein to be lost in urine.
Diet and Digestion: Malnutrition, restrictive diets, alcoholism, and malabsorption disorders like Celiac and IBD can all lead to low protein levels.
Common Symptoms: Watch for swelling (edema) in the ankles, feet, or face, along with fatigue, muscle weakness, and brittle hair and nails.
Importance of Diagnosis: Blood tests are necessary to confirm low protein levels and determine the root cause before starting any treatment.
Dietary Solutions: Increasing protein intake with lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy, and legumes can help address dietary deficiencies.

Causes of Hypoproteinemia: A Deeper Look

Low protein in the blood (hypoproteinemia) can result from three primary issues: insufficient intake, impaired production by the liver, or excessive loss from the body. Understanding which mechanism is at play is critical for proper treatment.

Dietary and Lifestyle Factors

Insufficient protein intake is a common cause, particularly in at-risk populations. This can be due to malnutrition, restrictive diets without proper planning, eating disorders, or increased needs during pregnancy and lactation if intake is not adjusted. Chronic alcohol use can also contribute by leading to poor nutrition and liver damage.

Malabsorption and Digestive Disorders

Problems absorbing protein can occur even with adequate intake. Conditions like Celiac disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can damage the intestines, impairing nutrient absorption. Protein-losing enteropathy can also cause direct protein loss from the gut.

Organ Dysfunction

The liver and kidneys are vital for maintaining protein balance.

Liver Disease: Conditions such as hepatitis or cirrhosis can damage the liver, reducing its ability to produce albumin, a key blood protein.
Kidney Disease: Damaged kidneys, as in nephrotic syndrome, can leak excessive protein into the urine, lowering blood protein levels.

Increased Protein Breakdown and Loss

Some conditions accelerate protein breakdown or loss. Severe burns, chronic inflammation from infections or autoimmune diseases, trauma, major surgery, and certain cancers can all increase protein requirements and breakdown, leading to low levels.

Symptoms of Low Protein Count

Low protein can manifest in several ways that warrant medical attention.

Edema (Swelling): Swelling, particularly in the feet, ankles, legs, and face, is a classic sign. This is because low albumin levels allow fluid to leak from blood vessels into surrounding tissues.
Fatigue and Weakness: Reduced protein for energy and muscle maintenance can cause persistent fatigue and muscle wasting.
Brittle Hair and Nails: Protein is essential for hair, skin, and nails, so low levels can result in thinning hair and brittle nails.
Weakened Immune System: Protein is needed to produce antibodies, so a deficiency can lead to more frequent infections.
Mood Changes: Amino acids are building blocks for neurotransmitters, and low levels can cause irritability and mood swings.

Comparison of Low Protein Causes


Factor	Underlying Cause	Mechanism	Affected Protein Types
Diet	Malnutrition, restrictive eating, alcoholism	Insufficient intake of essential amino acids	Albumin and Globulins
Liver	Hepatitis, cirrhosis	Impaired synthesis of blood proteins by the damaged liver	Albumin mainly, Globulins to a lesser extent
Kidneys	Nephrotic syndrome, CKD	Increased protein loss into the urine due to damaged filters	Primarily Albumin (small proteins leak out)
Digestion	Celiac disease, Crohn's	Malabsorption of nutrients, including protein	Albumin and Globulins (due to low absorption)
Inflammation	Burns, infections, sepsis	Increased protein breakdown and higher metabolic demand	Albumin and Globulins

Diagnosis and Treatment

If low protein is suspected, a healthcare provider will perform tests.

Diagnosis: Blood tests like a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) measure total protein, albumin, and the albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio. Additional tests may assess liver and kidney function or investigate digestive issues.
Treatment: Treatment targets the underlying cause. Dietary changes are key for intake issues, while organ problems require treating the specific condition, potentially with medication or dialysis.

Natural Ways to Increase Protein Levels

Dietary adjustments can help increase protein levels when not caused by a medical condition. Focus on sources like lean meats (poultry, beef, pork), fish (salmon, mackerel), dairy (Greek yogurt, cottage cheese), legumes (lentils, beans), and nuts and seeds.

Conclusion

A low protein count is a symptom of an underlying issue, ranging from diet to serious organ conditions. A medical evaluation is crucial for diagnosis and appropriate treatment, as simply increasing intake may not be sufficient if an organ is involved. Always consult a healthcare professional for guidance. For more nutritional details, especially for at-risk individuals, consult authoritative health organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

The normal range for total protein in blood is typically between 6.0 and 8.3 grams per deciliter (g/dL), though this can vary slightly between labs. Your doctor will assess your specific results.

Yes, one of the most common symptoms of hypoproteinemia is edema, or swelling, which often appears in the feet, ankles, and face. This happens because protein, especially albumin, helps keep fluid within the blood vessels.

It is possible if their diet is not properly planned. While plant-based foods can provide all necessary amino acids, a varied diet is required to get a complete protein profile, so those on restrictive plant-based diets should ensure they are consuming a wide range of protein sources.

For dietary deficiencies, incorporating high-protein foods like eggs, Greek yogurt, or a protein shake into your meals and snacks can help increase your intake. However, if the cause is an underlying medical condition, addressing that problem is the only way to effectively raise your protein count.

The liver is the main site for producing many blood proteins, while the kidneys are responsible for filtering the blood and preventing protein loss. Dysfunction in either organ can lead to a low protein count.

Yes, persistent fatigue and weakness are common symptoms of a protein deficiency. Protein is a vital energy source, and when levels are low, the body may feel weak and exhausted.

A blood test called a total protein test is used to measure the total amount of protein in your blood, including albumin and globulins. A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) may also be ordered, and your doctor may run further tests on your liver and kidney function.