In addition, inflammation increases albumin breakdown in the liver.33 A low level of albumin is an indicator of more severe inflammatory activity, and hypoalbuminemia at UC diagnosis was a predictor of more severe disease in 1 study.34 In contrast to CRP, which drops quickly after an inflammatory burst, albumin normalizes much slower (sometimes months) after an acute inflammatory response.32 The prolonged effect of inflammation on albumin might make hypoalbuminemia a better marker of low-grade chronic inflammation than, for example, an elevated CRP or calprotectin. This evidence concerns the gene ALB and inflammatory response.