Test Details: It is used for assessing nutritional status. Albumin is a protein which constitutes 55% to 65% of total plasma protein. Hypoalbuminemia is caused by different factors: impaired synthesis due to either liver disease (primary) or due to diminished protein intake (secondary), increased catabolism as a result of tissue damage and inflammation, malabsorption of amino acids and increased renal excretion (e.g. nephrotic syndrome).