Protein Urine

This test is for

Male, Female

Test Preparation

No special preparation required
Urine sample must preferably be the midstream urine (part of urine that comes after first and before the last stream). Collect the urine sample in a sealed and sterile container provided by our sample collection professional. Make sure that the container doesn't come in contact with your skin. Women are advised not to give the sample during the menstrual period unless prescribed.

Understanding Protein Urine

What is Protein Urine?

Protein urine test measures the amount of protein in urine. Normally traces of protein can be found in urine but detection of considerable amount of proteins in urine may be due to impaired filtration capacity of kidneys. This condition might indicate a kidney damage. This test is recommended to patients suffering from diabetes and hypertension as they are more prone to kidney problems. In these cases a regular monitoring of protein levels is mandatory to check the kidney health and avoid any further complications.

Sometimes a very low amount of protein can indicate urinary tract infection, dehydration or stones as well.

What is Protein Urine used for?

The Protein, Urine is done:

To monitor kidney functioning as a part of a routine checkup or as part of a follow-up to a previous positive urine protein test
To check for damage when the patient is suffering from a condition that affects the kidneys
To see if a kidney function is responding to the suggested treatment
If you have symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI)

What does Protein Urine measure?

The Protein, Urine measures the excessive protein excreted in the urine. The urine protein tests measure the protein which is released into the urine. Normally, the urine protein elimination is less than 150 mg/day and less than 30 mg of albumin/day. Temporarily raised levels may be seen in conditions such as stress, infections, pregnancy, cold exposure, diet, or heavy exercise.

The appearance of persistent protein discharge in the urine suggests possible kidney damage or the requirement of additional tests to know the cause.

In a normal functioning kidney, the filtered proteins are retained or reabsorbed and sent back to the blood. Whereas, if any damage is caused to the kidneys then it may affect their functioning which may cause detectable amounts of protein extracted into the urine.

Interpreting Protein Urine results

Interpretations

TYPES OF PROTEINURIA	TOTAL PROTEIN IN g /day	CONDITIONS
Heavy	> 4	Nephrotic syndrome, Acute Rapidly Progressive & Chronic Glomerulonephritis, Diabetes mellitus, Lupus erythematosus, Drugs like Penicillamine, Heavy metals like Gold & Mercury
Moderate	1 - 4	Nephrosclerosis, Multiple myeloma, Toxic nephropathy, Renal calculi
Minimal	< 1	Chronic pyelonephritis, Chronic interstitial nephritis, Renal tubular diseases, Postural

Levels are increased in diseases like:

Diabetes
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Nephrotic syndrome (High amounts of p
Protein is passed through the kidneys into the urine)
Drug nephrotoxicity (Toxicity in kidneys due to drugs)

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Protein Urine

Frequently Asked Questions about Protein Urine

Q. With what diseases or conditions, proteinuria may be associated?

Proteinuria may be associated with diseases or conditions such as urinary tract infection, lupus, preeclampsia in pregnant women, hypertension, multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, bladder cancer, congestive heart failure, diabetes, therapies toxic to kidneys, heavy metal syndrome, and Goodpasture syndrome.

Q. How is the urine sample collected?

As the test is performed on the urine sample. It is essential to prevent contamination of the sample with microorganisms naturally present on the skin. During urine collection, women should spread the labia (outer lips of the vagina) while men should retract or pull back the foreskin (fold of skin covering the glans or head of the penis). Start urinating normally and let some urine flow before collecting 20 to 30 ml urine the sterilized container available from the lab or any pharmacy. After collecting the sample, finish urinating into the toilet or urinal. This process is called midstream clean catch method. The urine sample may also be collected using a catheter inserted through the urethra directly into the urinary bladder. Sample collected through a catheter usually has no contamination.

Q. What are the signs of proteins passing from the kidneys into the urine?

In the early stages, the body shows no signs and symptoms. If there is more damage to the kidney then more amounts of protein start to pass from the kidney to the urine. Due to this swelling of hands, feet, face, and abdomen occurs. If damage to the kidneys continues, it can lead to permanent loss of function, which might result in kidney transplant or dialysis.

Q. What are the other conditions which can result in secretion of proteins apart from kidney disease?

Other conditions that can result in the secretion of proteins include diet, menstruation, physical activity, or urinary tract infection.

Q. What are the additional tests a doctor may prescribe in case of protein, urine test results are abnormal?

If the results of protein, urine test are abnormal then the doctor may prescribe other test to confirm the diagnosis. These tests include Urine Routine & Microscopy and Culture urine.

Q. What can affect the results of protein, urine test?

This test can be adversely affected if the patient has recently taken antibiotics before the sample collection. It may also be affected if a urine sample is not collected properly.

Q. What is nephrotic syndrome?

Nephrotic Syndrome is a disorder of kidney in which high amounts of protein are secreted in urine. It occurs due to damage to blood vessels which causes a defect in the filtration process. This can cause symptoms that include swelling of feet and ankles. It also increases the risk of health problems.

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