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What's the Big Deal About Protein in Your Pee?
Published: Nov 21, 2023
Protein in your urine could be a sign of kidney problems. Understanding proteinuria can help catch issues early.
What Exactly is Proteinuria?
Proteinuria means there's too much protein in your urine. Normally, you should have less than 150 mg of protein in your pee per day. Think of your kidneys like a coffee filter - they usually keep protein in your blood. When protein leaks into your urine, it may signal that your kidney 'filter' isn't working properly.
Types of Proteinuria
There are four main types of proteinuria. Glomerular proteinuria is when the kidney's filters are damaged. Tubular proteinuria happens when the kidney tubes can't reabsorb protein properly. Overflow proteinuria occurs when there's too much protein in your blood. Postrenal proteinuria is caused by issues in your urinary tract after the kidneys.
How is Proteinuria Detected?
Doctors often use a simple dipstick test to check for protein in your urine. This test is great for spotting albumin, the most common protein in urine. For a more accurate measure, you might need to collect your pee for 24 hours. Some doctors use a quicker method called the protein-to-creatinine ratio from a single urine sample.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always - some causes are benign, but it's important to investigate.
Yes, intense exercise can temporarily increase protein in urine.
Generally, more than 150 mg per day warrants further testing.
The Bottom Line
While not always serious, protein in your urine shouldn't be ignored - it could be an early warning sign of kidney issues.
References
- Carter JL, et al. Does urinary tract infection cause proteinuria or microalbuminuria? A systematic review. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2006; 21:3031.
- Ginsberg JM, et al. Use of single voided urine samples to estimate quantitative proteinuria. N Engl J Med 1983; 309:1543.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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