What is Hypoproteinemia?

Hypoproteinemia, simply put is low blood protein levels.  There are 2 main protein types: Albumin and globulin.  Abnormal blood test results  related to these are usually delineated with a corresponding 'hyper' or 'hypo' (high and low- respectively). 

For example, Low Albumin (a plasma protein) is called, Hypoalbumemia.  This condition can also be loosely referred to as hypoproteinemia. 

"Normal" Total serum Protein level (in humans) should be between  6.0 and 8.3 gm/dl (grams per deciliter).
Normal albumin level is from 3.4 - 5.4 grams per deciliter (g/dL).

The difficulties arising when these numbers depart from normal are quite astonishing.  That said there are many conditions that can cause departures.

Higher-than-normal levels may be due to:

**ChronicChronic inflammation or infection, including HIV and hepatitis B or C
**Multiple myelomaMultiple myeloma
**Waldenstrom's diseaseWaldenstrom's disease

Lower-than-normal levels may be due to:
**AgammaglobulinemiaAgammaglobulinemia
**Bleeding (hemorrhage)
**BurnsBurns (extensive)
**GlomerulonephritisGlomerulonephritis
**Liver diseaseLiver disease
**MalabsorptionMalabsorption
**Malnutrition
**Nephrotic syndrome
**Protein-losing enteropathy