Protein-losing enteropathy is a condition where an underlying medical problem causes blood serum proteins to leak into the intestines, leading to low protein levels and associated symptoms. Treatment involves identifying and treating the underlying cause, which can include infections, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and blockages in the lymphatic circulation system. Treatment options vary depending on the cause and may include dietary changes, medications, and surgery. The condition can also affect animals.
Protein-losing enteropathy is a component of a medical condition in which an underlying medical problem causes blood serum proteins to leak into the intestines, where they are lost. The patient develops low protein levels and associated symptoms, such as fatigue, weakness and swelling. Treating protein-losing enteropathy involves determining why the body is releasing protein into the intestines and treating this underlying cause. Dietary changes may be made to keep the patient stable in the short term.
Some potential causes include infections in the intestines, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and blockages in the lymphatic circulation system. A number of gastrointestinal conditions can be linked with protein-losing enteropathy to varying degrees. It can be the main symptom or one among a constellation of symptoms experienced by the patient. Blood tests will reveal low serum protein levels, and the patient may also report symptoms during an interview.
When a doctor identifies low protein, a test can be used to determine the reason and determine that protein-losing enteropathy is the cause. The next step in treatment is to find out why the patient is losing protein. Sometimes this is evident, as a patient may already be aware of an underlying medical problem. In these cases, the loss of protein reflects poor control of the condition and the need to adjust the treatment plan. For patients with no known history of conditions leading to protein loss, further diagnostic testing is needed to find out what’s going on.
Treatment options vary depending on the cause. For patients with celiac disease, treating protein-losing enteropathy can be as simple as modifying the diet to eliminate foods that the patient cannot tolerate. For things like infections, getting rid of the bacteria or parasites in the gut should fix the problem. Treatment options for other conditions may include medications and surgery. In some cases, it will not be possible to cure the underlying cause, but it can be controlled and monitored to prevent or limit protein loss in the future.
In addition to being seen in humans, protein-losing enteropathy can also be a problem in animals. It can be more difficult to identify and treat in pets and other animals, as they don’t report their symptoms like human patients do. Symptoms such as malaise and poor appetite can be warning signs, and blood tests will reveal abnormally low serum protein, allowing a vet to begin pursuing more tests to find out what’s wrong.
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