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A protein urine test measures the amount of proteins, such as albumin, found in a urine sample.
A blood test may also be done to measure the level of protein or albumin. See also: Serum albumin
How the test is performed
Urine protein may be tested using a random sample of urine and a dipstick test, or it may require a 24-hour urine sample. See: 24-hour urine protein
How to prepare for the test
Different drugs can change the result of this test. Make sure your health care provider knows what medications you are taking.
The following may also interfere with test results:
- Dye (contrast media) if you have a radiology scan within 3 days before the urine test
- Severe emotional stress
- Strenuous exercise
- Urinary tract infection
- Urine contaminated with fluids from the vagina
How the test will feel
The test only involves normal urination, and there is no discomfort.
Why the test is performed
This test is most often performed when kidney disease is suspected. It may be used as a screening test.
Normally, protein is not found in urine when a routine dipstick test is performed. However, tiny amounts of protein can be detected using special methods. This is because the kidney is supposed to keep large substances like protein in the blood. Even if small amounts of protein do get through, the body normally reabsorbs them.
Some proteins will appear in the urine if the levels of protein in blood become high, even when the kidney is working properly.
If the kidney is diseased, protein will appear in the urine even if blood protein levels are normal.
Normal Values
For a random urine sample, the normal values are approximately 0 to 8 mg/dL.
For a 24-hour urine collection, the normal value is less than 80 mg per 24 hours.
The examples above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results mean
Small increases in urine protein levels are usually not a cause for concern.
However, larger amounts of protein in the urine may be due to:
- Amyloidosis
- Dehydration
- Heavy metal poisoning
- Kidney-damaging drugs (nephrotoxic drugs)
- Urinary tract infection
Other conditions under which the test may be performed:
- Body-wide (systemic) infection (sepsis)
- Membranoproliferative GN I and GN II
- Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
- Rapidly progressive (crescentic) glomerulonephritis
- Reflux nephropathy
What the risks are
There are no risks.
References
- Landry DW, Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 116.
Review Date: 8/20/2011.
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Drugs that aim to prevent the loss of protein or albumin through urine in people with sickle cell disease
Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited disorders that often lead to kidney damage. High protein or albumin levels in urine is a strong predictor of subsequent kidney failure. It is common practice to give angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to reduce the level of protein or albumin in urine, thus protecting the kidneys from damage. However, little is known about how effective and safe these are in patients with sickle cell disease. This review included one study comparing captopril (an ACE inhibitor) to placebo. There were 22 participants in this study and the results were not convincing, with minor analysis changes leading to very different study conclusions. This study did not show that ACE inhibitors could reduce the level of protein or albumin in the urine. The level of creatinine and potassium in the blood were reported constant throughout the study. No serious adverse events were noted, although the potential for causing low blood pressure should be highlighted. More long‐term studies involving multiple centers and larger numbers of participants are warranted.
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