Protein in Urine

Protein in the urine is referred to as Microalbuminuria or Proteinuria and occurs when a urine sample has an atypically high quantity of protein in it. A urinalysis is the test that is used to check the contents of urine samples for numerous substances in the urine – one of these being protein.

The human kidneys normally filter out unwanted products from the blood while retaining those components that the body requires – together with some proteins. But, some conditions as well as diseases let proteins pass thru the filter system of the kidneys, causing a rise in protein in the urine.

Levels of protein that are low in the urine is normal and short term levels of protein in the urine that are high are not uncommon either, especially in young individuals following exercise or for the duration of a sickness. Protein that is uncovered on a microalbumin test can be the earlier signs of kidney damage caused by diabetes.

Protein in Urine Symptoms

An atypical or abnormal amount of protein in the urine will have no symptoms or signs in the beginning stages. Amounts of protein that are unusually large can make the urine appear foamy in the toilet. Additionally, since so much protein has left the body, the blood no longer is able to soak up fluid, therefore swelling in the feet, hands, face or abdomen can develop. This is referred to as edema and these are symptoms or signs that indicate that diseases of the kidney have progressed.

Some of the urine test results and what they can mean include:

Appearance

Normal is a pale to dark yellow color. Abnormal consist of no color normally caused by long-term kidney problems, dark yellow often due to dehydration and red urine is an indication of blood in the urine.

Clarity

Normal is clear. Abnormal or cloudy urine is caused by pus, blood, sperm, bacteria, yeast, mucus or a parasite infection.

Odor

Normal will have a slight nutty odor. Abnormal odor can be caused by certain foods, vitamins as well as antibiotics. Uncontrolled diabetes has a sweet, fruity odor. Urinary tract infections will also have a bad order. Any urine that smells like maple syrup can indicate that the body is not breaking down certain amino acids.

Protein in Urine Causes

Circumstances that may trigger a rise in the levels of protein in the urine temporarily include:

• Exposure to cold
• Stress that is emotional
• Exposure to heat
• Fever
• Exercise that is strenuous

Conditions as well as diseases that cause elevated levels of protein to be elevated insistently include:

• Some drugs
• Amyloidosis which is the buildup of abnormal proteins in the organs
• Glomerulonephritis which is inflammation of the cells in the kidney that filter waste from the blood
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Goodpasture’s syndrome
• Heart failure
• Hypertension or high blood pressure
• Hodgkin’s disease or Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Lupus
• Kidney infection
• Leukemia
• Multiple myeloma
• Malaria
• Orthostatic proteinuria
• Pericarditis or inflammation of the sac which surrounds the heart
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Pregnancy
• Sarcoidosis which is the development as well as growth of clumps of inflammatory cells in the organs
• Sickle cell anemia

Protein in Urine Treatment

The first goal of any treatment for abnormal amounts of protein in the urine is to gain control over the condition that is causing the problem. For example, if an individual has diabetes, the individual needs to control the diabetes by exercise, healthy eating plan as well as medication therapy. If the individual has hypertension or high blood pressure they may need medication to gain control of the blood pressure usually with an angiotensin-converting enzyme or ACE inhibitors.

Additionally to gaining control over the disease or disorder causing the excessive protein, it is recommended that the individual restrict dietary salt as well as protein. The physician can refer an individual to a dietitian to aid in developing and following an eating plan that is healthy.

It is also recommended that adequate amounts of fluid or water be consumed during the day. Eight or more glasses of fluid should be consumed daily.

Protein in Urine During Pregnancy

Urine tests are routine part of prenatal care and will not only be used to screen for pregnancy, but numerous times during the pregnancy.

These urine tests while pregnant are used to evaluate bladder or kidney infections, dehydration, diabetes as well as preeclampsia by screening for abnormal levels of proteins, sugars, ketones as well as bacteria. High levels of protein could suggest kidney disease, or possible infection of the urinary tract. Preeclampsia is also a concern later in the pregnancy especially when combined with high blood pressures.

Preeclampsia is a condition where the mother’s blood pressure is too high and not only will protein be in the urine but the mother will also be retaining water. This condition is also referred to as pregnancy-induced hypertension or toxemia. The symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Inability to tolerate bright light
• Nausea
• Blurred vision
• Infrequent urination
• Shortness of breath

Treatment for this condition depends on how far the pregnancy is. In cases where the pregnancy is far along, and the baby is developed sufficiently, it is possible that your physician might decide to deliver the baby earlier. In the case where the baby is not develop adequately and the preeclampsia is slight, the physician will advise increased prenatal visits and advise rest, lots of water and less salt.

With preeclampsia it is likely that the mother is not passing sufficient blood to the placenta. This interferes with oxygen and the nutrients the baby needs and can result in low weight at birth. But generally, most pregnant women with this condition can have a delivery that is healthy and normal, especially when the condition is found quickly enough and treated correctly.