Hypoproteinemia

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.^[1]

Hypoproteinemia
Specialty	Hematology

Signs and symptoms

The severity of symptoms can vary, but may include:

1. fatigue and weakness^{[citation needed]}
2. recurrent infections^{[citation needed]}
3. brittle nails and dry skin^{[citation needed]}
4. thinning and breaking hair^{[citation needed]}
5. mood changes and irritability^[2]

Causes

1. 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.
2. Malabsorption, often caused by celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease
3. Liver disease can also cause hypoproteinemia by decreasing synthesis of plasma proteins like albumin.
4. Renal disease like nephrotic syndrome can also result in hypoproteinemia because plasma proteins are lost in the urine.
5. Sepsis (whole body infection) – macrophages activated in the liver and spleen secrete TNF-alpha into the bloodstream resulting in hypoproteinemia.

Pathophysiology

Diagnosis

Hypoproteinemia is often confirmed by testing for serum albumin and total protein levels.^[3]