Your kidneys filter waste products from your blood while keeping what your body needs, including proteins. However, some diseases and conditions allow protiens to pass through the filters of your kidneys, causing protein in urine.
Conditions that can cause a temporary rise in the levels of protien in urine, but don’t necessarily indicate kidney damage, including:
- Dehydration, which is when the body doesn’t have enough water and other fluids to work properly
- Exposure to extreme cold
- Fever
- Strenuous exercise
Tests to identify protein in urine are critical for diagnosing and screening for diseases of the kidneys or other conditions affecting kidney function. These tests are also used to monitor disease progression and treatment effect. These diseases and conditions include:
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
- Diabetic nephropathy (Kidney Disease)
- Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)
- Glomerulonephritis (Inflammation in the kidney cells that filter waste from the blood)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- IgA nephropathy (Berger Disease, a kidney inflammation resulting from a buildup of the antibody immunoglobulin A)
- Lupus
- Multiple myeloma
- Nephrotic Syndrome (damage to small filtering blood vessels in the kidneys)
- Preeclampsia
When to consult a physician
If you have an interest in looking into a kidney transplantation, put your trust in Kidney Consultants of New Mexico. We have 10 years of experience in treating kidney disease and we can recommend the best options for you!
Meet with a specialist
To schedule an appointment with our office, please fill out the form below and one of our staff members will contact you to schedule your appointment!
FAQs – Protein in Urine
1. What does protein in urine mean?
Protein in urine, also called proteinuria, occurs when the kidneys allow more protein than normal to pass into the urine. It can sometimes be a sign that the kidneys are not filtering properly.
2. What causes protein in urine?
Proteinuria can be caused by kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, dehydration, certain medications, or temporary conditions such as strenuous exercise.
3. Can protein in urine occur without symptoms?
Yes. Mild proteinuria often causes no noticeable symptoms and may only be discovered through a urine test. Persistent protein in the urine should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
4. How is protein in urine diagnosed?
A urine test can detect protein in the urine. Your healthcare provider may recommend additional urine or blood tests to determine the amount of protein and evaluate kidney function.
5. Can protein in urine be treated?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Managing conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, along with appropriate medications and lifestyle changes, may help reduce protein loss and protect kidney function.
