Malnutrition is a condition characterized by inadequate intake or absorption of nutrients leading to deficiencies that affect overall health and bodily functions. It is caused by insufficient dietary protein and nutrient intake, poor absorption, or increased metabolic demands that deplete the body's nutritional reserves. The Albumin blood test is the most important test for diagnosis because it measures protein levels that decrease when the body is not getting or absorbing adequate nutrition.
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Malnutrition is caused by insufficient intake of essential nutrients including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. The primary causes include inadequate food intake due to poverty or food insecurity, poor diet quality lacking diverse nutrient sources, digestive disorders that impair nutrient absorption such as Crohn disease or celiac disease, increased nutritional demands during pregnancy or illness, and chronic conditions like cancer or infections that increase metabolic needs. Eating disorders, alcoholism, and certain medications can also interfere with proper nutrition and nutrient absorption.
The Albumin blood test is the most important test for malnutrition because it measures the protein albumin, which decreases when your body is not getting or absorbing enough protein from your diet. Albumin is one of the most sensitive markers for protein-energy malnutrition and reflects your overall nutritional status over the past several weeks. The Comprehensive Metabolic Profile is also essential because it measures both albumin and total protein levels along with other metabolic markers affected by poor nutrition. For a thorough assessment, the Protein, Total, Serum test and Transferrin test help identify the severity of protein deficiency and iron-transport protein levels that drop during severe malnutrition.
You should get tested if you have experienced unintentional weight loss of more than 10 pounds over several months, notice persistent fatigue and weakness that interferes with daily activities, or have difficulty healing from wounds or frequent infections. Testing is also important if you have been diagnosed with digestive disorders like Crohn disease or celiac disease, are recovering from surgery or serious illness, follow a very restrictive diet, struggle with an eating disorder, or are an older adult with decreased appetite or difficulty eating. If you notice hair loss, brittle nails, swelling in your legs or abdomen, or mental confusion, these signs warrant immediate testing to assess your nutritional status.
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What this means
Your albumin levels are slightly below the optimal range. This may indicate that your body is not producing enough protein, possibly due to nutritional deficiencies, liver stress, or protein loss. Low albumin can contribute to fatigue, slower healing, and fluid retention.
Recommended actions
Increase high-quality protein intake from lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy, and legumes
Stay well-hydrated and limit alcohol consumption to support liver function
Consider digestive health and ensure proper nutrient absorption
Retest in 6-8 weeks after dietary improvements to monitor progress
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