What lab test can evaluate the degree of malnutrition in patients?

Enhance your knowledge with the Internal Medicine End of Rotation Exam. Challenge yourself with multiple-choice questions and detailed explanations to ensure you excel.

Albumin levels are a key indicator used to evaluate the degree of malnutrition in patients. Albumin is a protein produced by the liver, and its levels in the blood reflect both protein synthesis and nutritional status. In cases of malnutrition, particularly when there is inadequate protein intake, albumin levels tend to decrease.

While albumin can be influenced by other factors, such as liver function and hydration status, it is particularly useful in assessing nutritional deficiency over time. A low albumin level can indicate chronic malnutrition, as it takes several weeks for changes in protein intake to impact serum albumin levels significantly.

In comparison, serum creatinine levels are primarily used to assess kidney function and muscle mass rather than nutritional status. Hemoglobin concentration provides information about oxygen-carrying capacity and can indicate anemia, but it is not a direct measure of nutritional status or malnutrition. Thyroid function tests evaluate the endocrine system's status and metabolism rather than providing a measure of protein or overall nutritional deficiencies. Thus, among the options presented, albumin levels are the most relevant for assessing malnutrition.

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