Low albumin means that the amount of albumin protein in the blood is lower than normal. Albumin is a protein made by the liver that helps keep fluid from leaking out of blood vessels into other tissues. It also carries hormones, vitamins, and enzymes throughout the body. Low albumin levels can be a sign of liver or kidney disease, malnutrition, inflammation, or infections. In addition, low albumin levels can cause various symptoms, including fatigue, jaundice, fluid retention, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, appetite changes, thinning hair, very dry or itchy skin, and swelling, especially of the feet or hands. A healthcare provider can order an albumin blood test to measure the amount of albumin in the blood and identify whether the amount of albumin in the blood is too high, normal, or too low. If the albumin levels are lower than normal, it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.