To assess the health and functioning of the liver, doctors may perform liver function tests that measure the levels of certain proteins and enzymes in the bloodstream. One type of liver function test checks for the total amount of protein in the blood and for the amount of a specific protein produced by the liver called albumin. Low total and albumin protein levels may suggest a range of potential underlying health problems.
Malabsorption or Malnutrition
Malabsorption -- a state in which the intestines fail to absorb enough nutrients from food as it passes through the body -- can lead to low total and albumin blood protein levels. According to MedlinePlus, malabsorption may occur as a result of conditions like Celiac disease, or inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease. These chronic illnesses are characterized by damage or inflammation to the lining of the intestines. This damage impairs the intestinal tissue's ability to hold onto protein and other vitamins and minerals. Malnutrition that occurs as a result of poverty or lack of access to food, unhealthy food choices or intentional starvation -- such as that associated with eating disorders -- can also cause low protein levels on liver function tests.
Liver Diseases
Abnormally low levels of total and albumin protein in the blood may suggest underlying liver disease. Cirrhosis -- a scarring of the liver caused by chronic and repeated damage to liver tissue -- and hepatitis -- an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus -- are both associated with low protein levels on liver function tests, according to MedlinePlus.
Problems with Blood Circulation
Abnormally low levels of total blood protein may be a symptom of poor blood circulation through the vascular system. According to the University of Illinois Medical Center, congestive heart failure that occurs as a result of constricted coronary arteries can interfere with the heart's ability to pump enough blood to the body's vital organs. Without enough blood and oxygen, the liver, kidneys and other structures cannot function properly, leading to a number of serious symptoms that can include low blood protein.
Preeclampsia -- a serious condition affecting pregnant women -- may also cause low protein levels. According to MayoClinic.com, women with preeclampsia suffer from high blood pressure which can cause damage to blood vessels and impair blood flow throughout the body and to the uterus.
Uncontrolled diabetes, which can lead to a hardening of the arteries that cuts of blood flow to the extremities and bodily organs, can also serve as an underlying cause of low blood protein levels.
Kidney Disease
Individuals with abnormally low levels of albumin protein may suffer underlying kidney disease. For example, nephrotic syndrome is a condition characterized by damage to the kidneys, particularly to a specialized membrane of the glomerulus -- a structure in the kidney that helps filter blood and induce the formation of urine. According to MedlinePlus, those with nephrotic syndrome typically have high cholesterol, protein in the urine and swelling in the abdomen, face or extremities, in addition to low blood protein. Low levels of albumin may also suggest glomerulonephritis -- another type of kidney disease characterized by damage to the filtering structures of the kidney. The University of Illinois Medical Center notes that low levels of total protein on liver function tests are similarly indicative of possible underlying kidney disease.
