In malnutrition, which lab value is often decreased?

• A. Sodium
• B. Glucose
• C. Albumin
• D. Hematocrit

Answer: (C)

Protein status is reflected by serum albumin levels. Albumin is made by the liver from dietary amino acids, so when protein intake is low or overall nitrogen balance is negative, albumin synthesis falls and its level in the blood decreases. Its relatively long half-life means it tends to reflect more chronic protein depletion rather than short-term fluctuations, and low albumin contributes to edema by reducing oncotic pressure in the blood vessels. Other values can be affected by a range of factors—sodium by fluid shifts, glucose by energy balance and liver function, hematocrit by anemia or hydration status—so they’re not as specifically tied to malnutrition as albumin. In summary, a decreased albumin level is commonly seen with malnutrition because it directly mirrors depleted protein status.