{{Short description|Low protein concentration in the blood}} {{Infobox medical condition | name = Hypoproteinemia | synonyms = | image = | caption = | pronounce = | field = Hematology | symptoms = | complications = | onset = | duration = | types = | causes = | risks = | diagnosis = | differential = | prevention = | treatment = | medication = | prognosis = | frequency = | deaths = }} '''Hypoproteinemia''' is a condition where there is an abnormally low level of protein in the blood. There are several causes that all result in edema once serum protein levels fall below a certain threshold.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Semrad |first=Carol E. |chapter=Approach to the Patient with Diarrhea and Malabsorption |chapter-url=http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/B9781437716047001421 |pages=895–913 |doi=10.1016/b978-1-4377-1604-7.00142-1|title=Goldman's Cecil Medicine |year=2012 |isbn=9781437716047 |s2cid=78742479 }}</ref>
== Signs and symptoms == The severity of symptoms can vary, but may include:
# Fatigue and weakness{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}} # Recurrent infections{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}} # Brittle nails and dry skin{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}} # Thinning and breaking hair{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}} # Mood changes and irritability<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-10 |title=Hypoproteinemia: Symptoms, causes, and treatment |url=https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320050 |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=www.medicalnewstoday.com |language=en}}</ref> # Curling ulcers
==Causes== {{Unreferenced section|date=June 2025}} # Nutritional hypoproteinemia is due to severe limitation of protein intake in the diet. An example of nutritional hypoproteinemia is Kwashiorkor, a type of protein energy malnutrition affecting young children. # Malabsorption, often caused by celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease # Liver disease can also cause hypoproteinemia by decreasing synthesis of plasma proteins like albumin. # Renal disease like nephrotic syndrome can also result in hypoproteinemia because plasma proteins are lost in the urine. # Sepsis (whole body infection) – macrophages activated in the liver and spleen secrete TNF-alpha into the bloodstream resulting in hypoproteinemia.
==Diagnosis== Hypoproteinemia is often confirmed by testing for serum albumin and total protein levels.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Laster |first=Leonard |date=1964-02-22 |title=Protein-losing Gastroenteropathy |journal=JAMA |language=en |volume=187 |issue=8 |pages=227 |doi=10.1001/jama.1964.03060210072030 |issn=0098-7484|pmc=2482745 }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Medical resources | DiseasesDB = 6534 | ICD10 = | ICD9 = {{ICD9|273.8}} | ICDO = | OMIM = | MedlinePlus = | eMedicineSubj = | eMedicineTopic = | MeshID = D007019 }}
{{Clinical biochemistry blood tests}}
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Category:Abnormal clinical and laboratory findings for blood