What’s wrong with low albumin and normal liver function tests?

Liver function tests with low albumin and normal others are hypoproteinemic and are considered to be caused by possible malnutrition, excessive protein loss, or overconsumption. Albumin is mainly synthesized in the liver, and when liver function is normal, the main consideration is a decrease in the raw material for albumin synthesis, excessive albumin consumption or loss. When there is severe malnutrition, heterophagy, etc., resulting in insufficient protein intake or nutritional deficiencies, it can lead to nutritional hypoproteinemia. Commonly, such as decreased appetite due to gastrointestinal tumor, difficulty in eating due to esophageal cancer. Excessive protein loss is mainly seen in renal diseases, such as nephrotic syndrome, glomerular filtration rate decreases, a large amount of protein is lost to urine through kidney, forming proteinuria, and protein loss in the body leads to hypoproteinemia. Excessive protein consumption is seen in tumor diseases, such as esophageal cancer, gastrointestinal tract tumor, lung cancer, etc. These tumors will cause a large amount of nutrients to be consumed by the body, resulting in weight loss, wasting, and even leading to malignant disease, which causes hypoproteinemia. When hypoproteinemia occurs, it is recommended to consult doctor in time to clarify the cause and diagnosis, and then carry out standardized treatment.