For example, short-term nutritional changes (such as dietary adjustments within a few days) are difficult to reflect through Alb levels; abnormal liver function (such as hepatitis and cirrhosis), kidney disease (such as increased loss due to proteinuria), and severe infection or inflammation (inhibition of inflammatory cytokine synthesis) can significantly affect Alb levels and the decrease in Alb may not be related to nutrition. Here, ALB is linked to infection.