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LIFESTYLE & COMMUNITY

Protein In Urine: What Is It And What Are The Threats

Date March 14, 2019

Author By Eliza Carnell

Healthy kidneys remove excess fluid and various waste from your body, while also preventing proteins and other nutrients from leaving your body. In the case of the kidneys functioning incorrectly, they allow albumin to get through the filters into the urine.

Protein In Urine: What Is It And What Are The ThreatsNatali_ Mis / Shutterstock.com

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Increased level of protein in the urine is called proteinuria (or albuminuria) and can be an early symptom of kidney disease. Most often, this state is diagnosed when running common tests.

Protein In Urine: What Is It And What Are The Threatsgeneral blood analysisalexraths / Depositphotos.com

Who belongs to the risk group?

The most common factors that increase the risk of developing proteinuria include:

  • diabetes;
  • high blood pressure (hypertension).

Both these conditions may cause damage to the kidneys, which can then lead to proteinuria.

Protein In Urine: What Is It And What Are The ThreatsbugPaulista / Shutterstock.com

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Other factors that contribute to the increased level of protein in urine include:

  • certain medications;
  • injury;
  • toxins;
  • infection;
  • immune perturbation.

The causes of proteinuria

Protein In Urine: What Is It And What Are The ThreatsVGstockstudio / Shutterstock.com

As it has been mentioned earlier, some diseases and conditions allow the protein to be supplied directly to urine through the filters. Along with this, its presence in the urine doesn't always indicate the damage of kidneys. The following points can be other causes of proteinuria:

  • dehydration;
  • stress;
  • hypothermia;
  • fever;
  • physical load.

How to diagnose proteinuria?

Protein In Urine: What Is It And What Are The ThreatsMatej Kastelic / Shutterstock.com

The cunningness of this condition lies in the fact that it may be inevident for a long time. The only way to ascertain whether you have it is to run a urine test. It involves determining the albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR). If the protein content in the urine exceeds 30 mg/g, it may evidentiate kidney disease.

Protein In Urine: What Is It And What Are The Threatsanyaivanova / Shutterstock.com

The increased level of protein and damaged kidneys may be followed by the next symptoms:

  • foamy or bubbly urine;
  • arm, leg, stomach, or facial swelling.

The occurrence of these symptoms may indicate serious kidney disease. Upon discovering them, we recommend you to visit a doctor as soon as possible. A medical professional will help you to get diagnosed and will prescribe proper treatment.

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This article is solely for informational purposes. Do not self-diagnose or self-medicate, and in all cases consult a certified healthcare professional before using any information presented in the article. The editorial board does not guarantee any results and does not bear any responsibility for any harm that may result from using the information provided in the article.