Low Protein Levels

Protein is an integral part of health, necessary for all cells of the body. Protein breaks down into 20 different amino acids. Essential amino acids are the ones the body cannot make. A complete protein is a protein that provides all of the essential amino acids. Complete protein sources such as animal meats, eggs and dairy or a complementary combination of rice and beans will provide these amino acids. Consistent low protein levels are due to specific organ diseases and poor nutrition. Testing the blood for specific proteins -- albumin and globulin -- gives the best information for protein levels.

Testing

Specific blood tests are run to figure out protein levels in the body. The most common protein test is serum albumin. Doctors can also order a total protein test that looks for both albumin and globulin levels. As low serum protein is often caused by diseases or malnutrition, other tests are ordered at the same time. A pre-albumin test can be run to determine nutritional status. Liver enzymes are evaluated with a liver panel and creatinine levels. Kidney status is also checked with a BUN, blood urea nitrogen, test.

Liver Disease

The liver is responsible for making albumin. Lower levels of albumin indicate decreased liver function. Dysfunction that leads to decreased output includes hepatitis and various liver cancers. Running the other liver tests along with the protein test will help to diagnose which condition is causing the decreased output. Normal ranges for blood albumin levels should be between 3.4 and 5.4 g/dL.

Kidney Disease

The body may have enough albumin production, but if the kidneys are not functioning well, they will allow the protein to leave the body through urine instead of entering back into circulation. Kidney dysfunction is additionally tested for by measuring protein levels in the urine. Specific renal or kidney diseases include glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome, where the filtering mechanism of the kidneys becomes damaged.

Malabsorption or Malnutrition

Diseases such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease cause the intestines to decrease absorption of many different nutrients including protein. Most of the consumed foods simply pass through the intestines into the stool. The recommended daily allowance for protein is 10 to 35 percent of the day's calories, or approximately 46 g for adult women and 56 g for adult men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Medications

Certain prescription drugs can increase the circulating levels of albumin in the blood, which may mask true hypoalbuminemia, low albumin. Medications responsible for such actions are insulin, anabolic steroids, growth hormones and androgens, or specific male and female hormones. For accurate lab tests, the ordering doctor may suggest you temporarily stop taking these medications.