When assessing laboratory results, which marker indicates inflammation related to low serum albumin?

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker that indicates inflammation in the body, and it is particularly relevant in the context of low serum albumin levels. When the body experiences inflammation, the liver produces CRP as part of the acute phase response. Elevated CRP levels can indicate that an underlying inflammatory process is occurring, which might contribute to a decrease in serum albumin due to various factors such as increased vascular permeability or liver dysfunction.

In patients with low serum albumin, assessing CRP can help determine whether inflammation is playing a role in the low albumin levels. Low serum albumin can be a sign of malnutrition, liver disease, or kidney dysfunction, but when accompanied by high CRP levels, it often suggests an inflammatory condition needing further evaluation.

The other markers mentioned do not serve this specific purpose in assessing inflammation related to serum albumin levels. For instance, while albumin levels themselves provide direct insight into protein status, they do not indicate the presence of inflammation. Glucose and creatinine levels are indicators of different biological processes and do not provide information regarding inflammation directly. Hence, CRP is the most appropriate choice in this context.