What does it mean if protein is found in the urine? Rules for collecting urine. Symptoms of pathological conditions

Protein in urine is present in the body of any person. Normally, this figure should not exceed 0.033 g/l. An increase in this rate indicates development. To eliminate this factor, you should consult a doctor and not self-medicate.

Etiology

Cause of protein in urine large quantities could be the following:

• poor nutrition;
• frequent, nervous tension;
• pregnancy;
• gastroenterological pathologies;
• kidney pathologies that develop against the background of existing ailments;
• toxic poisoning;
• high protein diet;
• hypothermia;
• long-term use of medications;
• diseases of the genitourinary system.

Clinicians note that most often increased protein in the urine of a child or adult is observed during pathological processes in the kidneys. In this case, the following etiological factors should be highlighted:

• kidney carcinoma;
• lipoid nephrosis.

In addition, immune disorders may be provoking factors, and age-related changes in organism. Increased protein in urine during pregnancy may indicate both the development of a certain pathological process and simply poor nutrition. In general, the following etiological reasons for increased protein in the urine during pregnancy can be identified:

• food with increased amounts of protein;
• pyelonephritis during pregnancy;
• development .

It should be said that increased protein in the urine of a pregnant woman is observed quite often, since in this state there is an increased load on the woman’s body. In most cases, the protein in the urine returns to normal after childbirth. The allowed protein level in urine during pregnancy is 0.002/l.

Symptoms

If the protein in the urine is slightly increased or the disorder is short-lived, there are usually no additional symptoms. If the presence of protein in the urine is a symptom of a certain pathological process, the following signs may be observed: clinical picture:

• , increased fatigue;
• , often with urges to;
• change in the color of urine - with an increased amount of protein it becomes red, with low levels it becomes almost white;
• chills, fever;
• the appearance of edema;
• deterioration or complete .

Increased protein in the urine of a child may have the following additional clinical signs:

• moodiness, crying for no apparent reason;
• sudden change of mood or complete;
• almost complete refusal of food.

It should be noted that such a clinical picture does not always indicate increased levels of protein in the body. The above-described signs may be symptoms of another pathological process, so you should consult a doctor and not self-medicate.

Diagnostics

What does an increased or decreased level of protein in the urine mean, only a doctor can tell after an examination and an accurate diagnosis. First of all, the doctor conducts a detailed physical examination, taking into account the medical history. During this stage of the examination, it is necessary to find out how the patient eats, whether he has taken any medications recently and whether he has any chronic diseases. To make an accurate diagnosis and clarify the etiology of this pathological process, the following laboratory and instrumental examinations are carried out:

• general and daily urine analysis;
• general and biochemical blood test;
• , pelvis, heart;
• immunological studies.

Additional diagnostic methods will depend on the clinical presentation, the general condition of the patient and the suspected etiology.

Separately, the stage of collecting urine for research should be highlighted. In this case, you should adhere to the following rules:

• Only a sterile container should be used to collect liquid;
• Before taking the analysis, you should carefully carry out all hygiene procedures for the perineal area. Use herbal infusions or antiseptics are not allowed.

Incorrectly collected tests can cause an incorrect diagnosis.

Treatment

If test results confirm increased protein in the urine, treatment should only be prescribed by a doctor. Unauthorized use of drugs can stabilize the indicators, but this does not guarantee that the underlying factor has been eliminated.

If traces of protein in the urine during pregnancy are due to poor nutrition, then the doctor should prescribe a diet. Reception medications, even in the presence of an illness, is kept to a minimum, as it can harm an adult or child.

If this symptom is provoked by an infectious or inflammatory process, antibiotic therapy or anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.

In general, treatment for such disorders in the body is purely individual, since this is not a separate disease, but a symptom of certain changes in the body.

Prevention

There are no specific methods of prevention, since this is not a separate disease. In general, you should adhere to general rules on management healthy image life, timely and correctly treat all ailments and not self-medicate. Unauthorized use of drugs can cause the development of serious complications and a blurred clinical picture, which will lead to an incorrect diagnosis.

To find out about the condition of the urinary system, you need to take a urine test. I prescribe it to everyone, starting with childhood for any disease to determine. One of the main indicators is the amount of protein. His increased level is a pathology called proteinuria, or albuminuria.

general information

Looking at the results of a urine test, you can see the code PRO - this is what is meant by the protein contained in the urine. There are two standard tests that determine PRO concentration and daily loss:

Whatever analysis is carried out, the following rules must be followed, otherwise the result may be unreliable:

OAM gives general information about the functioning of the kidneys, urinary system and the condition of the body. If the kidneys do not work properly and the integrity of the kidney tissue is damaged, protein gets into the urine.

The level of protein in urine is different for adults and children of a certain age; this is determined by the growth of the kidneys and the rapid division of cells in the body. In adults normal level remains unchanged, but after 50-60 years a slight excess of the norm is acceptable due to age-related characteristics.

Protein in adults

The kidneys of an adult person pass through themselves from 50 to 100 grams of protein bodies in 24 hours. During their normal functioning, protein should not enter the urine at all or in extremely small quantities. An increase in this indicator may indicate the development of serious pathologies of the urinary system and other internal organs.

Protein levels in urine for different tests

In adults, the permissible PRO content in morning urine should not exceed 0.033 g/l. In some laboratories this amount is considered negative and may not be reported. For diagnosis, the results of not only a general urine test are important, but also the level of daily protein loss.

Often the presence of protein in urine can be explained by errors in nutrition or improper hygiene before collecting the material. An experienced doctor will not make even a preliminary diagnosis without repeated studies.

OAM reveals the amount of protein contained in one portion of urine. For men, the normal level is considered to be no more than 0.01 g/liter; for women, the permissible protein content is up to 0.03 grams. If the level of protein in the urine exceeds the acceptable level, it is necessary to undergo a daily loss test.

The normal amount of protein bodies excreted in the urine per day is from 40 to 80 mg. A slight excess does not indicate pathologies of the urinary system, but if the value is above 150 mg, then proteinuria is diagnosed. According to statistics, only two out of 100 people diagnosed with proteinuria have serious illnesses.

Determination of proteinuria by different methods

The degrees of proteinuria for men and women, depending on the daily result, are as follows:

1. Microalbiminuria – 30-300 mg.
2. Mild proteinuria – 300 to 1 g.
3. Moderate degree – 1-3 g.
4. Severe proteinuria - more than 3 g.

There are several types of proteinuria: glomerular, tubular and extrarenal, and to determine the type of pathology, it is necessary to know the quantitative indicator of leukocytes and red blood cells in the urine. The daily loss does not determine the cause of the deviation from the norm, therefore, if the results are poor, additional examinations are necessary: ​​studies according to Nechiporenko, Zemnitsky and others.

During pregnancy, this indicator may be slightly exceeded, as the load on the kidneys increases, especially in the 9th month. To control the amount of protein, the woman has to take a weekly OAM, and if the PRO increases in the results, hospitalization is required.

Normal in children

Protein in a child’s urine should normally be absent or in small quantities.

A slight deviation from the norm in urine analysis can be caused by overexertion after physical exertion, increased sweating or sudden hypothermia. For each age there is a certain protein norm.

When obtaining tests, the doctor must take into account age, weight and presence chronic diseases The child has. A method is also used that determines the norm of indicators based on body surface area (Table 1).

Table 1 – Maximum PRO content

In children, the kidneys filter from 30 to 50 grams of protein per day, while the total amount of PRO in urine should not exceed 0.14 g per day. Even a slight increase to 0.15 g indicates that baby light degree of proteinuria.

Before you panic, you need to retake the test. The day before, you need to exclude fatty and salty foods from the child’s food for the result to be reliable.

It is also worth knowing that excess protein in the urine in children in the first two weeks of life is considered acceptable, this is explained by the peculiarity of the functioning of the kidneys in a newborn.

There are three degrees of PRO increase in children:

1. Light – 0.15-0.5 g/day.
2. Moderate – 0.5-2 g/day.
3. Severe – over 2 g/day.

In 5-9% of preschool and younger children school age a mild degree of proteinuria is detected as a consequence of inflammation. That is why it is important to treat infectious diseases in a timely manner.

In children from 10 to 16 years of age, the rate increases; this may be due to increased growth and the onset of puberty. The amount of protein should not exceed 391 mg. Also, a slight excess of daily protein excretion at the age of 6 to 9 years can be considered a normal indicator.

If any abnormalities appear, it is necessary to re-examine the urine and conduct additional examinations to exclude or confirm serious pathologies.

The amount of protein in morning urine that should not be a cause for concern varies depending on age. If we take PRO into account in OAM, then in children under 2 years of age the morning urine portion should not contain more than 0.025 g/l, from 2 to 16 years old - 0.7-0.9 g/liter.

Along with PRO, the level of leukocytes, erythrocytes and the presence of acetone must be taken into account in urine results. The combined presence of these indicators may mean that a serious disease is developing in the child’s body. Therefore, taking urine tests must be approached very responsibly.

The presence of protein in urine is determined using a biochemical analysis of urine. Normally, the protein should either be completely absent or present in trace amounts, and temporarily.

The filtration system of the kidneys physiologically filters out high molecular weight particles, while small structures can be absorbed into the blood from urine while still in the renal tubules.

Normal protein in urine

For men

The maximum norm for protein content in urine for representatives of the stronger sex is considered to be up to 0.3 grams per liter - this concentration can be explained by powerful physical shock loads on the body, stress, and hypothermia. Anything above this value is pathological.

For children

For most cases, no protein should be detected normally in children. The maximum value of this parameter should not exceed 0.025 grams per liter of urine. A deviation from the norm of up to 0.7-0.9 grams per liter of urine is sometimes observed for periods in boys aged from six to fourteen years - this is the so-called orthostatic or postural protein. It appears, as a rule, in daytime urine and is a feature of the kidneys during the period of teenage puberty of the stronger sex, most often due to increased physiological activity, against the background of a long stay of the body in an upright state. Moreover, the phenomenon is not periodic, i.e. in a repeated sample, the protein is often not identified.

For women

For pregnant women, up to thirty milligrams is considered normal, from thirty to three hundred milligrams is microalbuminuria. At the same time, a number of studies show that the concentration of up to three hundred milligrams of protein per liter of liquid in a classic daily biochemical analysis on later does not cause complications for the mother and fetus, so this indicator can be attributed to physiological proteinuria.

Causes of high protein

Increased protein in urine can be caused by a number of reasons.

Physiology

1. Powerful physical activity.
2. Excessive consumption of foods rich in protein.
3. Prolonged stay in an upright position with corresponding disruption of blood flow.
4. Late pregnancy.
5. Prolonged exposure to the sun.
6. Hypothermia of the body.
7. Active palpation of the kidney area.
8. Severe stress, concussions, epileptic seizures.

Pathology

1. Congestion in the kidneys.
2. Hypertension.
3. Nephropathies of various etiologies.
4. Amyloidosis of the kidneys.
5. Pyelonephritis, genetic tubulopathies.
6. Tubular necrosis.
7. Rejection of transplanted kidneys.
8. Multiple myeloma.
9. Hemolysis.
10. Leukemia.
11. Myopathies.
12. Feverish conditions.
13. Tuberculosis and kidney tumors.
14. Urolithiasis, cystitis, prostatitis, urethritis, tumors Bladder.

What does increased protein in urine mean?

In adults and children

Exceeding normal values ​​in adults and children usually means the presence in the body of physiological or pathological problems that require identification, correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Exceptions, as mentioned above, are made for representatives of the stronger sex in adolescence, if the increase in protein concentration is of an irregular, non-systemic nature.

Mild degrees of proteinuria (up to one gram of protein per liter of urine) are usually eliminated quite quickly, moderate (up to 3 g/l) and severe (over 3 g/l) require not only the highest quality diagnosis, but also quite long-term complex treatment, since they are usually caused by serious pathologies.

In pregnant women

Modern research shows that physiological changes the body in pregnant women, especially in the later stages, with a protein concentration of up to 0.5 grams per liter of urine does not have any effect negative influence for the fetus and the woman, however, if the above parameters exceed the specified limit of 500 milligrams/liter of urine, then the fair sex interesting position complex diagnostics and treatment will be required, naturally taking into account her physiological state, as well as a competent assessment of the risks for the unborn child.

Treatment

Specific treatment of proteinuria, regardless of the gender and age of the patient, is aimed at eliminating the causes of the pathological condition, as well as neutralizing negative symptomatic manifestations.

Since increased protein in the urine can be caused by a number of factors, specific therapy is prescribed by a qualified doctor only after a thorough diagnosis of the patient and an accurate determination of the disease or physiological condition.

With moderate and severe manifestations of proteinuria with the manifestation of nephrotic syndromes of various etiologies, a person requires hospitalization, bed rest, and a special diet with maximum restrictions on salt and liquids. The groups of drugs used (depending on the cause of the condition) are immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, cytostatics, anti-inflammatory/antirheumatic, antihypertensive drugs, ACE inhibitors, as well as blood purification by hemosorption or plasmaformesis.

If a person has a weak form of proteinuria caused by an orthostatic or functional factor, then medications, as a rule, are not used: normalization of circadian rhythms is relevant, correct selection diet, as well as giving up a number of bad habits.

Useful video

Protein(Protein, PRO)

Proteins are complex natural high-molecular structures. Proteins take part in all processes that occur in the human body and play a major role in the vital processes of cells and in the formation of cellular structures. Proteins consist of enzymes (enzymes), which accelerate all biochemical processes in the body, being biological catalysts.

Analysis of urine, which includes mandatory testing for the presence of protein, is widely used for diagnostic purposes and is an important laboratory sign of kidney pathology.

The appearance of protein in the urine is called proteinuria. Previously, the term “albuminuria” was used, but then it turned out that this term is not accurate, since not only albumins, but also globulins are excreted in the urine.

Normal protein is in general analysis there is no urine. But the appearance of a small amount of protein in the urine can occur in healthy people and is not associated with diseases of the body. The normal protein concentration in morning urine is usually considered

Such proteinuria may occur after ingestion of a meal rich in whole (undenatured) proteins ( raw eggs, raw milk, etc.), after intense physical exertion, during hypothermia, nervous tension, allergic diseases. A slight appearance of protein in the urine may also occur against the background elevated temperature body and after an infection. Proteinuria is often observed in infants in the first days of life. Even with overfeeding infant may appear in urine insignificant amount squirrel. These types of proteinuria are short-lived and do not require treatment.

Protein can also be caused by vaginal discharge or menstrual blood entering the urine.

Proteinuria may be caused by kidney diseases, such as pyelonephritis, acute and chronic glomerulonephritis, nephropathy of pregnancy, etc., or diseases urinary tract, for example, inflammation of the bladder, ureters, prostate gland.

The protein concentration in one portion of urine does not give an idea of ​​the absolute amount of protein lost, so protein losses must be taken into account in daily urine (normally no more than 150 mg/day).

Protein in urine during pregnancy

Detection of protein in urine early stages pregnancy may be a sign of hidden kidney pathology that the woman had before pregnancy. In this case, the entire pregnancy must be monitored by specialists.

Protein in urine in the second half of pregnancy small quantities may appear due to mechanical compression of the kidneys by the growing uterus. But it is necessary to exclude kidney diseases and gestosis in pregnant women. Preeclampsia is a serious kidney pathology, which can ultimately lead to dysfunction of the placenta: the child’s supply of sufficient oxygen and nutrients is reduced.

Protein in the urine during pregnancy can also be an accidental finding in one of the tests. But if protein is constantly detected in the urine during pregnancy, a doctor’s consultation is necessary.

Testing urine for the presence of protein is an analysis that can be used to diagnose a specific kidney disease. Based on the results of the examination, the doctor will be able to identify the disease and draw up an effective treatment plan. The procedure requires special training, which prohibits taking certain medications and products, because they may affect the protein content in the urine.

What are traces of protein in urine?

The protein molecule has a very big size, so it cannot leave through the renal corpuscles. In a healthy person, the urine does not contain this substance. After taking the test, the doctor notifies the patient about the presence of protein in the urine. What does this mean? This process is called proteinuria. This is a very alarming symptom, indicating the presence of serious kidney pathology. If traces of protein are detected in the urine, immediate additional diagnostics are required.

Physiological limits of normal

In healthy men and women, its concentration reaches 0.14 g/l. If this value is exceeded to 0.33 g/l, then it can be argued that there is a disease in the body, the symptom of which is proteinuria. It can occur in three stages: mild, moderate and severe. In a child, the protein norm reaches 0.036 g/l. When it increases to 1 g/l, moderate proteinuria occurs. During pregnancy, the norm of protein molecules is 0.03 g/l. An increased rate is a sign of problems in the genitourinary system and kidney disease.

How is urine analysis performed?

The biomaterial is delivered in the morning. This diagnosis is called a screening study. A false positive result is achieved when urine is collected incorrectly or due to insufficient hygiene before collecting the material. If the amount of protein in urine exceeds the norm, another study is prescribed, which involves daily collection. Thanks to this examination, it is possible to establish the degree of proteinuria and identify specific proteins using the electrophoresis method.

To accurately establish a diagnosis, the doctor prescribes a number of additional studies to obtain more accurate information. If proteins and leukocytes were detected during the diagnosis, this is a symptom of an inflammatory process. If protein and red blood cells are detected, it is likely that the doctor will make a diagnosis of damage to the urinary system or passage of a stone.

Why does the level of protein in urine increase?

The reasons for the formation of protein in the urine can be very diverse. Often this specific disease or in general such a process is transient (transient) in nature. If temporary proteinuria occurs, it is a clear symptom of fever or dehydration. It can also be caused by frequent stressful situations, burns or hypothermia. In men, increased protein content may be associated with significant physical activity. Experts identify the following causes of proteinuria:

• glomerulonephritis or lupus nephritis;
• myeloma pathology (urine contains a specific protein M-protein);
• arterial hypertension, existing for a long time;
• diabetes(urine contains albumin);
• renal processes of an infectious or inflammatory nature;
• malignant kidney tumors;
• chemotherapy;
• mechanical kidney injuries;
• poisoning by toxins;
• prolonged exposure to the cold;
• burns.

Symptoms of proteinuria

A temporary increase in the level of proteins in urine does not give any clinical picture and very often occurs without symptoms. Pathological proteinuria is a manifestation of the disease that contributed to the formation of protein molecules in the urine. With a prolonged course of this condition, patients, regardless of their age (children and adolescents, women, men), have the following symptoms:

• painful sensations in the bones (they are a common manifestation of multiple myeloma, which is characterized by significant loss of protein);
• with proteinuria, anemia is accompanied by fatigue, which becomes chronic;
• dizziness and drowsiness;
• poor appetite, feeling of nausea, vomiting.

Treatment for high protein levels in urine

When urine contains a high concentration of protein, this can cause a decrease in its level in the blood. This process contributes to a rise in blood pressure and the occurrence of edema. Here it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor to prescribe effective therapy. The treatment regimen is drawn up taking into account the main diagnosis and includes the following groups of drugs:

• antibacterial;
• cytostatics;
• decongestants;
• glucocorticosteroids;
• reducing blood clotting;
• hypotensive.

Therapeutic methods may also include extracorporate methods of blood purification - plasmapheresis and hemosorption. An important role in the treatment of proteinuria is played by proper nutrition. Often protein increases due to eating too salty, fatty, spicy foods. The diet must include the following conditions:

1. Limit salt intake to 2 g per day.
2. Monitor the volume of urine excreted relative to the fluid consumed. You are allowed to drink no more than 1 liter per day. For these purposes, it is better to use a decoction of rose hips, fruit juice with black currants.
3. Reduce intake of fish and meat for a period of 2 months.
4. Include milk, beets, fruits, vegetables, raisins, and rice in your diet.
5. Good effect has an anti-inflammatory decoction. To prepare it, you need to mix black poplar buds, initial grass and tricolor violet in a 1:1 ratio. Take a tablespoon of the mixture and pour a glass of boiling water. Leave for half an hour and use throughout the day. The course of therapy is 3 weeks.

Prevention of disease

It is very important to prevent proteinuria from becoming chronic. To do this, you need to follow certain rules of prevention and monitor your well-being all the time. If you suddenly notice any changes related to the quantity and quality of urine, immediately go to the doctor. It is important to understand the root cause of proteinuria in order to eliminate it in time and prevent the development of a more severe disease.

Very often the cause of increased protein is hypertension, as well as diabetes. If we are talking about high blood pressure, you need to constantly monitor your blood pressure, take medications, and reduce your intake of sugar, protein and salt. If a high protein concentration is associated with diabetes, in addition to special medications, the doctor will prescribe a diet for the patient. If the diagnosis of pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, congenital kidney anomalies or other is confirmed systemic diseases it is necessary to be constantly monitored by a nephrologist.