Main protein made by the liver
21 of 22 providers
Liver Function
malnutrition
Albumin is the most abundant protein in your blood, accounting for about 55-60% of total plasma protein. It is exclusively synthesized by the liver at a rate of about 10-15 grams per day. Albumin has a half-life of approximately 20 days, so changes in albumin levels typically reflect chronic rather than acute conditions.
Albumin serves multiple critical functions:it maintains oncotic pressure (keeping fluid in blood vessels rather than leaking into tissues), transports hormones, fatty acids, vitamins, drugs, and other substances throughout the body, acts as a buffer for pH regulation, and possesses antioxidant properties. Because of these essential roles, albumin is a key marker of overall health status, nutritional state, and liver synthetic function.
Low albumin (hypoalbuminemia) indicates serious underlying disease:chronic liver disease, kidney disease with protein loss, severe malnutrition, chronic inflammation, or critical illness. High-normal albumin is associated with better health outcomes and longevity. Unlike liver enzymes that detect damage, albumin measures the liver's ability to synthesize vital proteins—a fundamental metabolic function.
| Range Type | Level | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Optimal (Longevity) | 4.5-5.2 g/dL | Associated with best health outcomes, lowest mortality risk, and optimal longevity. Indicates excellent liver function, adequate protein nutrition, and low inflammation. Maintain through adequate protein intake (0.8-1.2 g/kg body weight), resistance training, and management of chronic inflammation. |
| Low-Normal | 4.0-4.5 g/dL | Within standard reference range but associated with increased mortality and morbidity compared to optimal levels. May indicate subclinical inflammation, marginal protein nutrition, or early liver/kidney dysfunction. Investigate underlying causes, optimize protein intake, address inflammation. Retest in 3-6 months. |
| Hypoalbuminemia (Mild) | 3.5-4.0 g/dL | Indicates significant underlying pathology. Requires investigation for chronic liver disease (check ALT, AST, bilirubin, PT/INR), kidney disease with proteinuria (check urine protein, creatinine), malnutrition (assess dietary intake), or chronic inflammation (check CRP, ESR). May develop mild edema. Increase protein intake to 1.2-1.5 g/kg body weight if possible. |
| Hypoalbuminemia (Severe) | <3.5 g/dL | Indicates serious disease with high mortality risk. Causes edema, ascites, and impaired drug metabolism. Common causes:advanced cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, severe malnutrition, critical illness, protein-losing enteropathy. Requires urgent medical evaluation and treatment of underlying cause. Consider albumin infusion if symptomatic (edema, ascites) and <3.0 g/dL. Levels <2.5 g/dL associated with very poor prognosis. |
Adequate protein intake:1.0-1.5 g/kg body weight daily (higher if elderly, ill, or recovering). Example:70-105g daily for 70kg person
High-quality protein sources:Eggs, fish, poultry, lean meat, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, whey protein
Leucine-rich foods:Leucine stimulates muscle protein synthesis. Found in whey protein, eggs, chicken, soybeans
Essential amino acids:If unable to eat adequate protein, consider EAA supplements (10-15g daily)
Whey protein:20-40g daily if inadequate dietary protein. Rapidly absorbed and rich in BCAAs
Timing:Distribute protein throughout day (20-30g per meal) for optimal synthesis
Treat specific liver condition:Antiviral therapy for hepatitis B/C, alcohol cessation, weight loss for NAFLD, immunosuppression for autoimmune hepatitis
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs):If cirrhosis, 12-25g daily BCAA supplementation improves albumin synthesis and reduces muscle wasting
Avoid hepatotoxins:Eliminate alcohol, minimize acetaminophen, review all medications with doctor
Nutritional support:Cirrhotic patients need 1.2-1.5 g/kg protein despite historical concerns about encephalopathy
Liver transplant evaluation:If albumin persistently <3.0 g/dL with cirrhosis, discuss transplant with hepatologist
Anti-inflammatory diet:Mediterranean diet, omega-3 fatty acids (2-4g EPA+DHA daily), minimize processed foods and sugar
Treat chronic infections:Tuberculosis, HIV, chronic wounds, and recurrent infections suppress albumin production
Manage autoimmune conditions:Optimize treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease
Omega-3 supplementation:2-4g EPA+DHA daily reduces inflammation and may improve albumin in chronic disease
Address chronic kidney disease:ACE inhibitors or ARBs reduce proteinuria and preserve albumin if kidney disease present
Nephrotic syndrome:If heavy proteinuria (>3g/day) from kidney disease, requires specialist management with immunosuppression or specific therapies
Protein-losing enteropathy:If GI protein loss (IBD, celiac, lymphatic disorders), treat underlying condition
Optimize albumin retention:ACE inhibitors/ARBs in kidney disease reduce urinary protein loss
Avoid excessive protein loss:Large volume paracentesis for ascites causes albumin loss;albumin infusion often given
Burns and wounds:Major burns and large wounds cause protein loss;increase protein intake to 1.5-2.0 g/kg
Resistance training:Weight training 2-3x/week stimulates muscle and albumin synthesis, especially important in elderly
Adequate calories:Ensure sufficient total calorie intake (1.2-1.5x resting metabolic rate). Caloric restriction reduces albumin synthesis
Optimize thyroid function:Hypothyroidism reduces albumin synthesis;ensure TSH is optimal (0.5-2.5 mIU/L)
Testosterone optimization:In men with hypogonadism, testosterone replacement may improve albumin synthesis
Growth hormone:In severe deficiency or critical illness, GH or IGF-1 may support albumin synthesis (specialist consultation)
Avoid overtraining:Excessive exercise without adequate recovery increases inflammation and reduces albumin
Low serum albumin is one of the strongest predictors of mortality across diverse populations. Meta-analyses show each 1 g/dL decrease in albumin increases mortality risk by 130-200%. Albumin <3.5 g/dL is associated with 2-3x higher mortality in hospitalized patients and predicts poor surgical outcomes, longer hospital stays, and increased complications.
Source:Herrmann FR, et al. Serum albumin level on admission as a predictor of death, length of stay, and readmission. Arch Intern Med. 1992;152(1):125-130.
In cirrhotic patients, albumin is a core component of prognostic scores (Child-Pugh, MELD-Na). Albumin <3.5 g/dL indicates decompensated cirrhosis. Each 1 g/dL decrease below 3.5 g/dL roughly doubles mortality risk. Albumin <2.5 g/dL carries very poor prognosis without transplant, with 1-year mortality exceeding 50%.
Source:Biggins SW, et al. Serum sodium predicts mortality in patients listed for liver transplantation. Hepatology. 2005;41(1):32-39.
Higher serum albumin within the normal range (>4.5 g/dL) is associated with successful aging, maintained cognitive function, and reduced frailty in elderly populations. Albumin reflects nutritional status, absence of chronic disease, and anabolic capacity—all essential for healthy longevity. Maintaining optimal albumin should be a longevity goal.
Source:Cabrerizo S, et al. Serum albumin and health in older people. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2015;63(8):1707-1713.
Older adults often have inadequate protein intake contributing to low albumin and frailty. Increasing protein to 1.2-1.5 g/kg body weight improves albumin levels, muscle mass, and physical function in elderly. Combined with resistance training, higher protein intake prevents age-related decline in albumin and functional capacity.
Source:Bauer J, et al. Evidence-based recommendations for optimal dietary protein intake in older people. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2013;14(8):542-559.
In cirrhotic patients with ascites, albumin infusion (after large-volume paracentesis) improves circulatory function and reduces complications. Long-term albumin infusion (40g twice weekly) in decompensated cirrhosis improves survival compared to standard care. However, albumin infusion treats symptoms, not the underlying disease—liver transplant evaluation is essential for very low albumin.
Source:Caraceni P, et al. Long-term albumin administration in decompensated cirrhosis (ANSWER):EASL-CLIF Consortium randomised trial. Lancet. 2018;391(10138):2417-2429.
| Provider | Includes | Annual Cost | Biomarkers |
|---|---|---|---|
 Superpower | ✓ | $199 | 100+ (150 with ratios) |
 WHOOP Advanced Labs | ✓ | $349 | 65 |
 Labcorp OnDemand | ✓ | $398 | 30+ |
| ✓ | $486 | 40+ | |
| ✓ | $468 | 83 | |
| ✓ | $349 | 100+ | |
 InsideTracker | ✓ | $680 | 54 |
 Function Health | ✓ | $365 | 100+ |
| ✓ | $250 | 65 | |
| ✓ | $495 | 70+ | |
| ✓ | $895 | 100+ | |
| ✓ | $1950 | 150+ | |
| — | $399 | 100+ | |
| — | $Varies | 75+ | |
| ✓ | $190 | 100+ | |
| ✓ | $99 | 50 | |
| ✓ | $125 | 60 | |
| ✓ | $199 | 50 | |
| ✓ | $499 | 120+ | |
| ✓ | $4188 | 80+ | |
| ✓ | $375 | 85 | |
| ✓ | $700 | 129 |
21 providers include this biomarker in their panels
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider about your specific health needs.
