When protein in the urine exceeds the norm, this in most cases indicates the presence of a pathological process in the body. Therefore, the appearance of protein inclusions in the urine requires additional examinations in order to make an accurate diagnosis and begin treatment on time.
At what level of protein in urine should you worry and what does this analysis mean for the human body?
Protein in the urine is an alarming symptom that may indicate the presence of a disease; it is better to consult a doctor about this
Causes of protein in urine
Protein in urine is determined using a biochemical urine test. Ideally, protein in the urine should either be completely absent, or traces of protein in the urine appear in small quantities and are temporary.
In a healthy person, protein molecules have big size and therefore cannot penetrate through the renal corpuscles. Therefore, the presence of protein in the urine often means the development of kidney pathology, called proteinuria. General analysis indicators are not enough to make such a diagnosis - for this, daily protein in the urine is measured, the loss of which should be no more than 150 mg per day.
Note! The causes of protein in the urine can be caused by completely harmless factors, but a persistent level of protein indicates problems with the kidneys.
A slight increase in protein can be caused by physiological reasons:
- Improperly balanced diet;
- Frequent stress, concussions, ;
- Failure to comply with the rules for submitting and collecting analysis;
- Strong physical activity;
- Hypothermia of the body;
- Prolonged exposure to the sun, overheating;
- Pregnancy status at later;
- Prolonged stay in a “standing” position, in which blood flow is disrupted;
- Excessively active palpation of the kidneys (at a doctor’s appointment).
After eliminating the physiological factor, the protein in the urine normalizes on its own. But long-term influence of a physiological provoking factor can cause the development of a pathological condition and a large loss of proteins along with urine.
Protein in the urine may increase due to the development of dangerous pathological processes:
- Infectious diseases accompanied by fever (flu);
- Obesity;
- Appendicitis (if protein and leukocytes in the urine are increased);
- Systemic diseases (red);
- Diseases of the urinary tract (kidney, glomerulonephritis, urolithiasis and kidney disease);
- Poisoning with toxic substances;
- Severe allergies;
- Malignant tumors (myeloma, leukemia, kidney cancer or Bladder).
If protein is detected in the urine after 1-2 weeks, it is recommended to repeat the analysis. During this time, the protein should return to normal, and if nothing changes, then a more detailed examination will be needed. You may need to take an additional blood test to make an accurate diagnosis. Further actions and treatment depend on what caused the proteinuria.
The reasons for the appearance of protein in the urine can be varied; only your attending physician will be able to make an adequate diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Norms of protein in urine
Protein in urine in men is considered elevated if the value exceeds 0.3 g/liter. This concentration can be explained by increased physical activity, stress, overheating or hypothermia.
Protein in women's urine should not exceed 0.1 g/liter. The normal level of protein in urine during pregnancy is up to 30 mg; if the concentration is from 30-300 mg, this may mean microalbuminuria. Protein in the urine of pregnant women may exceed levels in late pregnancy - this is not a pathology and refers to physiological proteinuria.
Important! The ideal analysis is one in which there is absolutely no protein in the urine. A protein level of 0.033 g/l is the boundary between protein deviations and its norm.
In children, the maximum protein value in urine should not exceed 0.025 g/liter. Slight deviations from the norm (0.7-0.9 g/liter) may be observed at the age of 6-14 years in boys - this phenomenon is called postural or orthostatic protein.
What does it mean? This protein usually appears in the child’s urine in daytime and its appearance is associated with the peculiarities of kidney function in adolescence in boys against the background of increased physiological activity. In repeated analysis, the protein is usually no longer identified.
Normally, protein should be completely absent in urine tests in both adults and children, but individual deviations from the norm are also possible in healthy people How to take a protein test
Collection and submission of material for analysis is carried out in the morning, on an empty stomach. If urine is collected incorrectly or there is insufficient hygiene before collecting the material, a false positive test result is detected.
Along with maintaining personal hygiene, you should adjust your diet before taking the test. The following products may affect deviations from the norm:
- Sweets, confectionery;
- Marinades, sauces with vinegar;
- Salty foods (especially salted fish);
- Spicy dishes;
- Abundant consumption of foods with a high protein content;
- Mineral water in large quantities;
- Alcoholic drinks.
The test result can be affected by excessive intake of vitamin C and insufficient fluid intake, therefore, 2-3 days before the test, you should exclude the above dishes from the menu and adjust your diet.
Some medications have an irritating effect on the kidneys: Oxacillin, Cephalosporin, Polymyxin. These medications should be stopped before testing.
To confirm the test result, another study is prescribed - daily urine collection, which allows you to determine the degree of proteinuria. If the research reveals leukocytes and proteins, then inflammatory processes are occurring in the body. If proteins and red blood cells are present, damage to the urinary system due to stone passage is likely present.
Why may protein in urine increase?
Exceeding the norm in urine protein most often means the presence of physiological or pathological abnormalities in the body, which require immediate diagnosis and treatment.
Mild proteinuria (up to 1 g/liter) is usually eliminated quickly, moderate (3 g/liter) and severe (more than 3 g/liter) require not only careful research, but also long-term treatment, because most often caused by serious pathologies.
Protein in urine in women
If a woman does not have any complaints about the deterioration of the condition, then the increased protein level may not be the result of proper nutrition, the predominance of foods with a high protein content.
Also, physiological causes in women that cause proteinuria most often include frequent stress, heavy physical labor, and temperature changes.
Among pathological reasons First of all, cystitis is isolated in women. This is followed by inflammation in the bladder, kidneys, ureters, and the presence of stones in these organs.
Protein in the urine during pregnancy is not a pathology in the later stages of pregnancy. The alarm should be sounded if a pregnant woman’s readings exceed 500 mg/liter - this may mean the presence of inflammatory processes.
If there is increased protein in the urine after childbirth, this usually signals serious disorders in the mother’s body, as well as the presence of inflammation in the genitourinary and urinary system.
Protein in urine in men
Proteinuria in a man can be caused by physiological causes - overload after heavy physical labor or sports, or an increase in body temperature during infectious diseases.
Pathological causes usually lie in dysfunction of the renal tubules and glomerular structures.
Glomerular proteinuria is accompanied by impaired renal function due to nephrotic syndrome. This condition can occur with the development of inflammatory processes in the kidneys caused by toxins, pathogenic microorganisms, drugs, and medications. In the worst case, the cause of the pathology is malignant tumors.
Damage to the renal tubules can occur due to prolonged use of antibiotics, drugs, and the resulting accumulation of salts heavy metals in the kidneys.
Protein in urine in children
If observed increased protein in a child’s urine, it is recommended to take a repeat test to rule out pathologies.
In a newborn baby, the protein content in the urine is normal phenomenon, and in infants, proteinuria can occur due to overfeeding.
In boys adolescence An increase in urine output may occur during puberty.
In girls, deviations from the norm may be associated with inflammatory processes in the genital organs.
Treatment
Treatment of proteinuria includes eliminating the causes of the pathology and neutralizing negative symptoms.
A temporary increase in protein in the urine usually does not produce any clinical picture and is asymptomatic. With prolonged and severe proteinuria, the following symptoms may occur:
- Increased ;
- Swelling;
- Lack of appetite, lethargy, weakness;
- Temperature increase;
- The appearance of cramps, muscle pain;
- Appetite disturbances, nausea;
- Dizziness.
In this case, there may be observed external changes urine:
- The appearance of foam when shaking;
- White precipitate and cloudy color (indicate that leukocytes are also elevated);
- Brownish tint (increased red blood cells and protein in the urine);
- Strong ammonia odor (indicates diabetes).
If proteinuria is caused by physiological reasons, treatment with medications is not carried out. It is enough to adjust your diet, give up alcohol, and get proper sleep and rest.
High levels of protein in the urine require a thorough examination, and in severe cases, hospitalization.
The treatment regimen is selected depending on the diagnosis and usually includes the following groups of medications:
- Cytostatics;
- Glucocorticosteroids;
- Antihypertensives;
- Antibacterial drugs;
- Decongestant medications;
- Anticoagulants.
An important role is played by nutrition correction:
- Salt intake should not exceed 2 g per day;
- Fluid intake should be controlled - you should not drink more than 1 liter per day.
- Reduce protein intake for 1-2 months.
- Include vegetables, fruits, rice, milk, and raisins in your daily menu.
It is very important that proteinuria does not become chronic. To do this, you should carefully monitor your own health and regularly get tested for protein. At the slightest suspicion of proteinuria, you should consult a doctor to identify the cause of the pathological condition and prevent the development of serious diseases.
If a person gets sick (whether it’s an adult or a child, it doesn’t matter), then the doctor first sends the patient for tests. Mainly blood and urine tests are taken. Protein is the most important substance involved in most cellular processes in the human body, therefore, if its norm is exceeded, then this may indicate some kind of violation. An increase in this indicator is a kind of signal that a person has some kind of pathology. But what exactly is wrong - only additional research will help find out.
Ideally, the norm is complete absence or it is no more than 8 mg/dl, and in a daily analysis the norm should be less than 150 mg. There are some conditions that may cause a small amount to appear in healthy individuals: 
- cooling;
- dehydration;
- urinary tract infection;
- eating high protein foods;
- vaginal discharge;
- emotional stress;
What should a protein test be like during pregnancy?
It is generally accepted that the norm for protein in urine during pregnancy is 0.033 g/l. Proteinuria is not only a sign of pathology, it can have physiological nature. Protein in urine can naturally be found in larger quantities when consumed on the eve of the test large quantity proteins: dairy products, cottage cheese, meat. Proteinuria also occurs under severe stress and moral exhaustion.
Also, pregnant women often experience cystitis and urethritis, pyelonephritis.
Protein in urine should normally be absent or small traces of it should be observed (no more than 0.03 g/l).
Possible causes of increased protein in urine
Protein in the urine can appear during severe physical exertion, stress, abuse of protein foods, as well as after hypothermia and severe fever. However, such increased protein in the urine does not remain for long while an external factor is affecting it.
Proteinuria is false when protein in the urine appears due to inflammation in the renal pelvis, ureters and bladder. During menstruation, blood entering the urine can cause false proteinuria. Functional proteinuria appears in heart failure, allergic and nervous diseases.
The development of proteinuria is influenced by the following factors: 
- urinary tract infections (but the protein content in the urine does not increase very much);
- protein breakdown in tissues during burns, frostbite, hemolytic disease;
- increased protein in the urine with pyelonephritis, glomeronephritis, nephrosis, nephropathy and other lesions of kidney tissue.
The most common cause of detecting protein in the urine is renal proteinuria. It is associated with disturbances in the filtration process, therefore it occurs in many diseases: glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, nephrosis (metabolic disorder), renal tuberculosis, late toxicosis(protein in urine during pregnancy), systemic damage to tissues and small vessels, hypertension, hemolytic anemia.
Is it possible to understand without analysis that the protein in the urine is increased?
As a rule, microalbuminuria or mild proteinuria is not accompanied by clinical manifestation. Often there are no or mild symptoms. Below are some symptoms that are more common with long-standing proteinuria.
- Bone pain due to loss of large amounts of protein (more common with multiple myeloma)
- Fatigue as a consequence of anemia
- Dizziness, drowsiness as a consequence higher level calcium in blood
- Nephropathy. May manifest as protein deposits in fingers and toes
- Change in urine color. Redness or darkening of urine due to the presence of blood cells. Acquiring a whitish tint due to the presence of a large amount of albumin.
- Chills and fever with inflammation
- Nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite.
How to lower protein levels in urine during pregnancy
Treatment is aimed at identifying and eliminating the cause of the protein. For infectious diseases, anti-inflammatory and herbal-based drugs are prescribed (“Fitolysin”, “Canephron”). In particularly severe cases, antibiotics are prescribed.
With gestosis, treatment becomes more complicated. Basically, it is aimed at stabilizing indicators and maintaining them normal until the onset of childbirth.
A woman should monitor her blood pressure by measuring it several times a day and listening for changes in how she feels (ringing in the ears, headache, darkening of the eyes). When edema appears, you need to monitor the amount of fluid you drink (the amount of fluid drunk and excreted should be approximately equal). Weight gain should be monitored, and the consumption of salt, pepper, fried and smoked foods should be reduced.
Urinalysis is a traditional test prescribed even healthy women, for example, during pregnancy. Sometimes a doctor, seeing protein in the analysis, says it’s not scary.
Is this so and at what level of protein in the urine should we sound the alarm? All doubts disappear if the woman herself knows the limits of the increase in proteins in the urine and its possible causes.
normal protein in urine in women
The ideal urine test is the complete absence of protein. However, the number 0.033 g/l is often written in the “protein” column. This indicator is called traces of protein, it is also the boundary between the norm and deviation.
The appearance of traces of protein in a urine test is often caused by physiological reasons (malnutrition, insufficient hygiene before taking urine for analysis, etc.). In such cases, a repeat analysis is usually prescribed.
Increased protein in the urine is referred to medically as proteinuria. At the same time, the indicators of a general urine analysis are not enough; it is important to take into account the amount of protein lost in the urine per day. The normal daily level is no more than 150 mg/day.
The pathological condition of proteinuria is divided into several stages depending on the daily loss of protein in the urine:
- mild - protein loss less than 1 g/day;
- moderate - proteinuria rate 1-3 g/day;
- severe - protein excretion in urine exceeds 3 g/day.
Factors that provoke proteinuria may be completely harmless, however, even persistent fixation of traces of protein indicates some disorders associated with kidney function.
foam indicates the presence of protein
Physiological causes of increased protein in the urine in women more often provoke the appearance of its traces in the analysis. Protein at a level of 0.033 g/l provokes:
Typically, urine protein levels return to normal after the provoking factor is eliminated.
However, physiological exposure over a long period of time can lead to the development of a pathological condition and significant loss of proteins in the urine.
Diseases in which the presence of protein in the urine is noted:
- pathology of the urinary system - pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, cystitis, prostatitis, kidney injuries, kidney and urolithiasis, kidney tuberculosis;
- infectious diseases accompanied by high temperature- severe flu, pneumonia;
- severe allergic reactions;
- hypertension;
- diabetes mellitus, obesity;
- poisoning by toxins;
- appendicitis (proteinuria combined with high blood leukocytosis);
- negative effects of certain medications (for example, treatment of oncology with cytostatics);
- systemic pathology - lupus erythematosus;
- malignant tumors - leukemia, myeloma, neoplasms in the bladder and kidneys.
Foods that increase protein in urine
To find out the real reason proteinuria and prescribing treatment, a false urine test result should be excluded. Along with compliance hygiene rules When collecting urine, you should pay attention to your diet 2-3 days before the test.
Some foods cause abnormal protein levels in the urine. These include:
- salty foods (eating herring often causes protein in the urine during pregnancy);
- indulgence in sweets;
- spicy foods that irritate the kidneys;
- marinades containing vinegar;
- abundant consumption of protein foods - meat, fish, eggs, raw milk;
- alcohol, including beer;
- mineral water in large quantities.
Proteinuria is also caused by insufficient fluid intake and excessive intake of vit. C. Even long-term use of rosehip infusion, rich in ascorbic acid, irritates the kidney parenchyma and can provoke an exacerbation of kidney disease and changes in urinalysis parameters.
Medicines such as Aspirin, Cephalosporin, Oxacillin, Polymyxin, Streptomycin and medicines containing lithium also have an irritating effect on the kidneys. Before diagnosis, their use is usually canceled.
Symptoms of pathological conditions
Minor amount usually does not produce proteins in urine external signs. Only prolonged or severe proteinuria affects the patient’s condition. Women may note:
- swelling is a sign of loss of blood protein;
- increased a/d - signals developing nephropathy;
- weakness, lack of appetite;
- muscle pain, recurring cramps;
- temperature increase.
In this case, the following changes in urine can be visually noted:
- the appearance of foam when shaking accurately indicates the presence of protein;
- cloudy color, white sediment - increased protein and leukocytes in the urine;
- brownish color is a sign of the presence of red blood cells in the urine;
- a pungent ammonia smell - raises suspicion of diabetes mellitus.
In case of severe damage to the kidney tissue and developing stone formation, protein, leukocytes, and erythrocytes are present in the urine.
Increased protein in urine during pregnancy
If the kidneys cope with the increasing load during pregnancy, the urine will react with a lack of protein in it. However, even its presence in general analysis does not yet indicate pathology.
Even an increase in daily protein in urine to 300 mg is considered physiological and does not cause pathological abnormalities in the body of the mother and fetus.
The level of protein in urine in late pregnancy is even higher - up to 500 mg/day. However, these indicators should not alarm if the pregnant woman does not have accompanying symptoms.
Toxicosis, edema, increased blood pressure in combination with proteinuria are alarming signals that require a more thorough examination of the woman.
Treatment
For physiological proteinuria drug treatment is not carried out. In this case, correcting your diet, avoiding alcoholic beverages, and getting proper rest and sleep is sufficient.
High levels of protein in the urine require more careful diagnosis to identify the cause of the deviation and often hospitalization. Depending on the identified disease, the following are prescribed:
- antibiotics;
- antihypertensive drugs;
- corticosteroids;
- detoxification infusions - Hemodez cleanses the blood well of toxins during intoxication, especially severe in kidney diseases;
- hemosorption, plasmapheresis.
An integral part of treatment is a diet limiting salt to 2 g/day and excluding pepper, smoked meats, and strong tea/coffee. It is imperative to limit fluid intake, especially with edema and high blood pressure accompanying proteinuria.
Why is protein in urine dangerous?
Before determining the danger of protein in urine in women, you should understand what this means for the body.
Protein in the urine is an indicator of a violation of the filtering ability of the kidney membranes. Together with large protein molecules, red blood cells can be washed out of the blood, which leads to anemia and aggravation of the patient’s condition.
Proteins are the building blocks of all cells in the body. When it is lost, the processes of formation of new cells are disrupted. An increased protein level in urine leads to a slowdown in the regeneration of tissues of organs and systems, thereby delaying the healing process.
Proteinuria during pregnancy is fraught with oxygen starvation of the fetus and its underdevelopment. In severe cases, this condition threatens the development of gestosis, which provokes premature birth and increases the risk of intrauterine fetal death by 5 times.
There should be no protein in the urine, or it can be detected by analysis in trace amounts - up to 0.033 g/l.
If traces of protein are detected in the urine or a slightly higher than trace amount of protein, a repeat analysis is performed.
Insignificant protein levels in the test results can be explained by insufficient patient hygiene before collecting urine, taking certain medications, or eating protein foods. Why is this value, 0.033 g/l, considered the normal limit? Lower protein concentrations are difficult to detect using existing laboratory testing techniques.
The norm of protein in urine in men is up to 0.033 g/l, maximum up to 0.05 g/l. Protein in the urine can occasionally appear due to stress, muscle strain, eating large amounts of meat or eggs (protein foods), sometimes protein can get into the urine with sperm. If there is a persistent excess of the protein norm, this indicates the presence of a pathological factor.
The norm of protein in urine in women is no more than 0.033 g/l. When collecting urine for analysis, it is necessary to exclude vaginal discharge or menstrual blood from entering it - this gives a false positive result. During pregnancy, the protein content in the urine can increase to 0.14 g/l (according to other sources up to 0.3 g/l), such a concentration is not yet considered abnormal and is usually explained by mechanical compression of the kidneys by the enlarged uterus.
If the protein content in the urine is higher, it may be a symptom of kidney disease or gestosis (toxicosis of the second half of pregnancy)With gestosis, the permeability of blood vessels increases, and fluid leaves the bloodstream into the edema. The mechanism for increasing blood pressure is activated to maintain its level in the vessels; the fluid goes into edema, the pressure rises. This vicious circle is extremely dangerous for mother and child.
The probable cause of the appearance of protein in the urine is cystitis, a common disease in pregnant women.
In children, protein should not normally be detected in the test results, although pediatricians allow its occasional appearance in concentrations of up to 0.036 g/l. Protein in the range of 0.7 - 0.9 g/l can be observed in boys 6 - 14 years old with high physical activity, and only during the daytime (orthostatic proteinuria). The boy's morning urine test immediately after sleep does not detect protein.
This condition is not considered pathological. Sometimes the protein is detected in infants with the beginning of complementary feeding with cottage cheese, meat, in children who are sick or have just had ARVI. After 7 to 10 days of recovery, the protein should return to trace levels.
Causes of protein in urine
High protein levels in urine are caused by:
- kidney diseases (acute and chronic glomerulonephritis, nephrosis, nephropathy of pregnancy, pyelonephritis, tuberculosis);
- poisoning with a number of toxic substances;
- degenerative changes in the kidneys with hypertension, atherosclerosis of the renal arteries, diabetes mellitus;
- inflammatory processes in the bladder and urethra (cystitis, urethritis), urolithiasis, prostatitis;
- oncological diseases;
- chemotherapy of oncological diseases;
- allergic and autoimmune reactions;
- significant injuries to muscle tissue, extensive burns;
- severe stress;
- hypothermia;
- functional reasons associated with increased blood flow in the renal arteries. A larger volume of blood than usual enters the kidneys per unit time, and accordingly more protein is filtered. This explains the increase in protein concentration in the urine with significant physical activity.
As already indicated, increased protein content in the urine can appear in healthy people after significant physical overexertion, including copious discharge sweat, when dehydrated.
An important diagnostic indicator isdaily protein in urine (the amount of protein excreted in urine per day).
A test of 24-hour urine for protein is carried out after a repeat general urine test has again confirmed its presence. Allowable amount of protein in daily volume urine – 0.08 – 0.24 g/day. The urine excreted by the patient during the day is collected in a 2.7 liter container (sold in pharmacies), or in a well washed and dry, preferably sterilized 3 liter jar. The day before urine collection, you should avoid taking diuretics. acetylsalicylic acid. Before each urination, both women and men should wash themselves thoroughly.
If a woman is menstruating, it is best to wait until it ends. When urinating, it is better for women to cover the vaginal opening with a sterile cotton swab. The first portion of morning urine is not collected, they start with the average one, but note the time of the first trip to the toilet in order to finish collecting urine for analysis after about 24 hours. The urine collected per day is thoroughly shaken and about 100 ml is poured into prepared containers, preferably into a sterile pharmaceutical container. However, when directed by your doctor, bring everything you have collected.
Normally, protein excretion (protein in daily urine) should not exceed 50–80 mg (0.05–0.08 g) per day. During extreme physical activity (athletes, loaders, etc.), the physiological maximum is 250 mg/day. In pregnant women, the physiological maximum is 300 mg/day, in later stages up to 500 mg/day (if edema and arterial hypertension are not observed).
Increased protein in urine, what does this mean?
Proteinuria is a persistent increase in protein content in the urine, protein excretion in the urine. First of all, it can signal a violation of the filtration function of the kidneys and is most likely caused by:
- increased permeability of glomerular membranes to plasma proteins;
- increased beyond normal amount proteins in blood plasma;
- impaired reabsorption (reabsorption) of plasma proteins in the kidney tubules;
- the entry of kidney tissue proteins into the urine during inflammation or traumatic damage.
Daily protein loss, or the degree of proteinuria, is of diagnostic importance:
- up to 0.5 g/day – moderate. Occurs in chronic pyelonephritis;
- from 0.5 to 4 g/day – high. Characteristic of acute pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, renal amyloidosis (disorders of protein metabolism, in some cases associated with an autoimmune reaction - an insufficiently studied disease with serious consequences), toxic nephropathy (poisoning with a number of toxins), as well as kidney damage due to diabetes mellitus or heart failure;
- more than 4 g/day – typical for degradation of the glomerular apparatus of the kidneys.
The combination of proteinuria with an increased content of leukocytes indicates inflammation, infection in urinary tract, the presence of blood - about the possible presence of ulcerations of the mucous membrane or an increase in the permeability of the walls of the blood vessels of the mucous membrane, about injury. Attention is also paid to the molecular weight of the detected protein.
The low molecular weight of the proteins indicates that their filtration by the kidneys is only slightly impaired. High molecular weight of proteins is a sign of severe pathological changes in the kidneys.
Diagnostics
A general urine test is an initial study, the results of which determine the need for further diagnosis. If protein is detected in a repeated general analysis, a 24-hour urine test is first prescribed. If it confirms proteinuria, then they carry out:
- general blood test (primarily the number of leukocytes and ESR);
- blood sugar test;
- enzyme-linked immunosorbent test (possibly);
- blood test for lipid spectrum (possibly);
- Ultrasound of the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract (required).
Ultrasound with an increased concentration of protein in the urine is very informative.
If pathological changes in the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract are not detected, further searches for the cause of proteinuria continue.
We remind you that proteinuria can signal a developing cancer (leukemia, myeloma).
How to get rid of protein in urine, including folk remedies
The question is posed fundamentally incorrectly.
Proteinuria is not a disease, but a symptom possible diseases. It is necessary to undergo a medical examination to determine the causes of proteinuria.
Depending on the reasons, treatment is prescribed. Having identified the cause, you need to influence it, including, possibly, folk remedies.
In any case, if increased protein is detected in the urine, it is necessary to facilitate the work of the kidneys as much as possible:
- limit salt intake;
- give up spices, pickles and canned food with vinegar, sausages, smoked meats, meat and fish broths;
- exclude alcoholic beverages, including beer;
- refrain from physical activity.
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Passing through the kidneys, the blood is filtered - as a result, only those substances that the body needs remain in it, and the rest is excreted in the urine.
Protein molecules are large, and the filtering system of the renal corpuscles does not allow them to pass through. However, due to inflammation or other pathological reasons, the integrity of the tissues in the nephrons is disrupted, and the protein passes freely through their filters.
Proteinuria is the appearance of protein in the urine, and I will discuss the causes and treatment of this condition in this publication.
Two types of proteins are found in the urine of women and men - immunoglobulin and albumin, and most often the latter, which is why you can come across the concept of albuminuria. This is nothing more than widespread proteinuria.
The presence of protein in urine occurs:
- Transient, associated with fever, chronic diseases outside the urinary system (tonsillitis, laryngitis) and functional causes - dietary habits (a lot of protein in the diet), physical fatigue, swimming in cold water.
- Constant, which is caused by pathological changes in the kidneys.
Proteinuria is also divided into types depending on the amount of protein (units - g/l/day):
- trace - up to 0.033;
- mild - 0.1-0.3;
- moderate - up to 1;
- pronounced - up to 3 or more.
There are many reasons for protein in the urine, and the first place is occupied by kidney pathologies:
- pyelonephritis;
- lipoid nephrosis;
- amyloidosis;
- glomerulonephritis;
- polycystic kidney disease;
- nephropathy in diabetes mellitus;
- kidney carcinoma;
- obstructive uropathy.
Among blood diseases, the causes of increased protein in the urine can be myeloma, leukemia, plasmacytoma, and myelodysplastic syndrome. These pathologies do not damage the kidney tissue, but increase the load on them - the level of proteins in the blood increases, and the nephrons do not have time to completely filter them. Protein inclusions in urine also appear with urethritis and prostatitis.
Marked increase in protein in urine may cause the following violations:
- inflammation of the genitourinary organs;
- tumors in the lungs or gastrointestinal tract;
- kidney injuries;
- CNS diseases;
- intestinal obstruction;
- tuberculosis;
- hyperthyroidism;
- subacute endocarditis caused by infections;
- arterial hypertension;
- chronic hypertension;
- intoxication of the body due to poisoning and infectious diseases;
- extensive burns;
- sickle cell anemia;
- diabetes;
- congestion in heart failure;
- lupus nephritis.
Physiological increase in protein in urine temporary and is not a symptom of any disease, occurs in the following cases:
- high physical activity;
- prolonged fasting;
- dehydration.
The amount of protein excreted in the urine also increases in stressful situations, when norepinephrine is administered, and when certain other medications are taken.
At inflammatory diseases may be detected elevated protein and leukocytes in urine. Common cause pyelonephritis, diabetes mellitus, blood diseases, genitourinary tract infections, appendicitis.
Leukocytes, along with protein, are present in urine analysis and due to the intake of aminoglycosides, antibiotics, thiazide diuretics, and ACE inhibitors.
There should be no red blood cells in the urine. Protein, red blood cells and white blood cells appear in the urine due to injuries, inflammation of the kidneys, tumors in the urinary tract, tuberculosis, hemorrhagic cystitis, stones in the kidneys and bladder.
This is a serious signal - if you do not find out the exact cause and do not start treatment on time, the disease can develop into kidney failure.
The norm of protein in urine in women and men
The urine of a healthy person contains protein no more than 0.003 g/l- in a single portion of urine this amount is not even detected.
For the volume of daily urine, the normal value is up to 0.1 g. For protein in urine, the norm is the same for women and men.
In a child up to 1 month. normal values are up to 0.24 g/m², and in children older than a month it decreases to 0.06 g/m² of body surface.
Foods that increase protein in urine
Excess protein food increases the load on the kidneys. The body does not have the ability to accumulate excess proteins - reserves of substances and energy are always stored as fat or burned during physical activity.
If you follow a protein diet or your diet is dominated by such foods, then excess protein will inevitably increase. The body needs to either convert it (into fat with a sedentary lifestyle, into muscle mass and energy during movement). But the rate of metabolic processes is limited, so there will come a time when the protein begins to be excreted in the urine.
If you eat a lot of protein foods, it is important to consume at least 2.5 liters of clean water every day and be active. IN otherwise The kidneys will not be able to filter urine normally, which can lead to metabolic disorders and the development of urolithiasis.
Other products also reduce the filtering capacity of the kidneys:
- Alcoholic drinks irritate the organ parenchyma, thicken the blood, increasing the load on the urinary system;
- Salty and sweet foods retain water in the body, slowing down its free movement - congestion and swelling develop, which
- Increases blood toxicity - this negatively affects the functioning of the kidney filters.
Symptoms of a pathological increase in protein in the urine
Mild proteinuria and trace amounts of protein in the urine do not manifest themselves in any way. In this case, symptoms of diseases that led to a slight increase in this indicator may be observed, for example, an increase in temperature due to inflammation.
With a significant presence of protein in the urine, swelling appears. This occurs because due to the loss of proteins, the colloid osmotic pressure of blood plasma decreases, and it partially leaves the vessels into the tissues.
If protein in the urine is elevated for a long time, the following symptoms develop:
- Painful sensations in the bones;
- Dizziness, drowsiness;
- Fast fatiguability;
- Fever due to inflammation (chills and fever);
- Lack of appetite;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Turbidity or whitishness of urine due to the presence of albumin in it, or redness if the kidneys pass red blood cells along with protein.
Signs of dysmetabolic nephropathy are often observed - high blood pressure, swelling under the eyes, on the legs and fingers, headaches, constipation, sweating.
Is it normal to have high protein in urine during pregnancy?
The volume of circulating blood in a woman’s body during this period is increased, so the kidneys begin to work harder. The normal level of protein in urine during pregnancy is considered to be up to 30 mg/l.
When analysis values are from 30 to 300 mg, they speak of microalbuminuria. It can be caused by an abundance of protein foods in the diet, frequent stress, hypothermia, and cystitis.
An increase in protein to 300 mg or more is observed with pyelonephritis and glomeluronephritis.
The most serious condition in which protein in the urine increases during pregnancy is gestosis. This complication is accompanied by an increase in blood pressure, edema, and in extreme cases, convulsions, cerebral edema, coma, bleeding and death. Therefore, it is important for pregnant women to pay attention to any symptoms and regularly take urine tests.
It happens that even with proper nutrition and the absence of symptoms, the presence of protein in the urine of women is detected. What does it mean? Trace amounts of protein can be detected if hygiene is not observed during urine collection.
- In this case, vaginal discharge, which contains up to 3% free proteins and mucin (a glycoprotein consisting of carbohydrate and protein), enters the urine.
If there are no obvious reasons, and the protein in the urine is more than normal, undergo a thorough examination - perhaps some disease is occurring in a latent form.
Treatment tactics, drugs
To prescribe the correct treatment, the doctor needs to find out the cause of proteinuria. If protein release is associated with the physiological state of the body, then therapy is not carried out.
- In this case, it is recommended to review your diet, reduce stress, and be less nervous (the doctor may recommend mild sedatives).
Inflammatory diseases
The causes of increased protein in the urine in women and men, associated with inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system, are treated with antibiotics and restoratives.
Antimicrobial drugs are selected taking into account the sensitivity of the pathogen, the form of the disease and individual characteristics sick.
When treating pyelonephritis, the following are indicated:
- antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin, Cefepime);
- NSAIDs to reduce inflammation and pain (Diclofenac);
- bed rest during exacerbation;
- supportive herbal medicine (diuretic herbs, rose hips, chamomile, Monurel);
- drinking plenty of water;
- diuretics (Furosemide);
- Fluconazole or Amphotericin are indicated for fungal etiology of the disease.
In case of sepsis (symptoms of suppuration - severe pain, increased temperature, decreased pressure), removal of the kidney is indicated - nephrectomy.
For glomerulonephritis, antimicrobial drugs are prescribed with restriction of proteins and salt. Cytostatics, glucocorticoids, hospitalization and bed rest are indicated in case of exacerbation.
Nephropathy
The level of protein in the urine increases with nephropathy. The treatment regimen depends on the underlying cause (diabetes, metabolic disorders, intoxication, gestosis in pregnant women) and is determined individually.
For diabetic nephropathy, careful monitoring of blood glucose levels is necessary, and a low-protein, salt-free diet is indicated. Among the drugs prescribed are ACE inhibitors, drugs for normalizing the lipid spectrum ( a nicotinic acid, Simvastin, Probucol).
In severe cases, Erythropoietin is also used to normalize hemoglobin, a hemodialysis procedure, or a decision is made about a kidney transplant.
Preeclampsia in pregnant women
Gestosis during pregnancy can occur in four forms, or stages:
- dropsy - edematous syndrome develops;
- nephropathy - failure of the kidneys;
- preeclampsia - cerebrovascular accident;
- eclampsia is an extreme stage, a precomatous state, a threat to life.
Any form requires immediate hospitalization and hospital treatment. The woman is advised to rest completely and eat a salt-restricted diet.
Drug therapy includes:
- sedatives;
- relieving vascular spasms (drip administration of magnesium sulfate is often used);
- replenishment of blood volume using isotonic solutions and blood products;
- means for normalizing blood pressure;
- diuretics to prevent brain swelling;
- introduction of vitamins.
Why is high protein in urine dangerous?
Proteinuria requires timely identification and elimination of its cause. Increased protein in the urine without treatment is dangerous for the development of the following conditions:
- Reduced sensitivity to infections and toxins;
- Blood clotting disorders, which can lead to prolonged bleeding;
- If thyroxine-binding globulin leaves the body in the urine, then there is a high risk of developing hypothyroidism;
- Damage to both kidneys, death due to nephropathy;
- With gestosis in pregnant women - pulmonary edema, acute renal failure, coma, hemorrhages in the internal organs, threat of fetal death, strong
- Uterine bleeding.
An increase in protein in the urine does not allow self-medication - by contacting a specialist in time, you can avoid the development of severe complications.
