In the article, we will consider what causes protein in the urine.
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 let them through. However, due to inflammation or other pathological reasons, the integrity of the tissues in the nephrons is broken, and the protein freely passes through their filters.
Protein is one of the possible deviations in the overall analysis. The most accurate determination of the composition of urine can be obtained by biochemical studies. What does protein in urine mean? A condition in which its level is elevated is called "albuminuria" or "proteinuria" in medicine.
Protein (protein) is the main building material in the human body. It is present in all its organs, tissues and environments. Normally, protein in the urine is determined in very small quantities, since the kidneys carefully filter it out during the processesreabsorption. An increase in values may be the result of physiological (stress, diet, etc.) or pathological (oncology, pathology of the genitourinary system, etc.) reasons.
What does protein in the urine of a man and a woman mean, many people are interested.
It performs important functions in the body:
- contribute to the construction of new cells and the formation of intercellular bonds;
- provides an immune response to external or internal stimuli;
- forms colloid-osmotic (oncotic) blood pressure;
- participates in the creation of enzymes that play a special role in biochemical reactions.
Increased protein in the urine: causes
Low protein is due to diet, physical activity and minor he alth concerns.
If an infectious, inflammatory or other pathological process takes place in the filtration system of the kidneys, then various inclusions are determined in the urine, including globulins - large protein compounds.
What does the protein in the urine mean, it is important to find out.
Excretion in the urine of a large amount of it is called proteinuria. If more than 3 g of protein is excreted from the body per day, then this is a reason to suspect dysfunction of the glomerular system of the kidneys. Proteinuria that lasts more than three months is indicative of chronic kidney disease. Loss of more than 3.5 g of protein per day can lead to nephrotic syndrome (massive swelling andincreased cholesterol).
What else causes protein in the urine?
In addition, the loss of proteins may be due to a violation of their reabsorption (re-absorption into the blood) in the proximal renal tubule. There are several reasons for this state:
- infectious or inflammatory processes;
- side effects of certain medications;
- nephrological diseases in the chronic stage, etc.
Risk groups for high protein in urine include:
- people over 65;
- diabetic patients;
- children with weak immunity;
- obese patients of various types;
- women during pregnancy;
- athletes.
It should be noted that in men and women, the causes of an increase in the concentration of protein in the urine are almost the same, except when such a condition is provoked by pathologies of the reproductive system.
Indications for testing
From what protein appeared in the urine, the doctor should determine. The analysis is prescribed in the presence of the following clinical symptoms:
- pain, discomfort, itching or burning when urinating;
- feeling of inadequate bladder emptying;
- pain in joints and bones, brittle bones (due to protein loss);
- constant weakness and drowsiness, increased fatigue;
- frequent attacks of dizziness, fainting (may indicate accumulation in the bloodcalcium);
- pathological swelling;
- numbness or tingling of fingers;
- fever or chills, hyperthermia without known cause;
- anemia of chronic type (low hemoglobin);
- convulsions, muscle spasms;
- digestive disorders (dyspepsia, appetite disorders) with no known cause.
In addition, a test for protein in the urine is prescribed for the following diseases:
- systemic pathologies of any form;
- diagnosis of diseases of the genitourinary system: cystitis, pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, renal failure, prostatitis, glomerulonephritis;
- diabetes;
- childhood infections and illnesses;
- in the diagnosis of multiple myeloma (oncological tumor of plasma cells);
- monitoring the effectiveness of intoxication therapy (poisoning with snake venom, heavy metals, drug overdose);
- oncological diseases of the genitourinary system;
- injuries or massive burns;
- congestive heart failure;
- prolonged hypothermia of the body;
- recent surgery.
Physiological proteinuria
In cases of slight or single excess of protein in the urine, functional (physiological) causes should be excluded first. Among them are the following:
- hyperthermia not associated with a disease of the genitourinary system;
- prolonged exercise, sports, heavy lifting;
- longhypothermia;
- a sharp change in position immediately before the delivery of the biomaterial;
- emotional stress;
- long-term stay "on the legs";
- dehydration, insufficient fluid intake;
- taking medicines that can increase the concentration of protein in the urine;
- allergic reactions;
- pregnancy (the growing uterus puts pressure on the kidneys, which affects their filtration function).
Increase as a result of nutrition
So, we continue to understand what protein appears in the urine. This may be due to the use of such products:
- uncooked protein (raw eggs, dairy, fish and meat);
- confectionery, sweets;
- too spicy, s alty or spicy foods;
- alcoholic beverages, including beer;
- vinegar-based sauces;
- large volume of mineral water.
Pathological proteinuria
If, when deciphering a general urine test in adults, an increase in indicators is detected again, it is advisable to exclude such pathologies: an infectious disease in the genitourinary system, inflammation of the kidneys, bladder, kidney failure, cystitis, nephrotic syndrome, nephritis, disruption of the renal tubules, diseases of the reproductive system in women and men, oncological pathologies of the kidneys, leukemia (blood cancer), cysts of the genitourinary system, myeloma. Exclude the samepathologies affecting the transmission of impulses (concussion, epilepsy, stroke), sickle cell anemia, diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
Renal and extrarenal proteinuria
The causes of increased protein in the urine are not always easy to establish.
Renal proteinuria is of two types - tubular and tubular.
Tubular proteinuria occurs when:
- immunosuppressive therapy;
- acute interstitial nephritis;
- Sjogren's syndrome;
- long-term use of NSAIDs;
- cryoglobulinemia (the presence in the blood of cryoglobulin proteins that cause systemic vasculitis).
Glomerular proteinuria, which occurs due to damage to the glomeruli, which is observed in various forms of glomerulonephritis.
Extrarenal proteinuria is prerenal and postrenal. Congestion proteinuria develops as a result of increased production of atypical low molecular weight proteins that cause acute kidney injury. It occurs in diseases such as rhabdomyolysis (the process of destruction of muscle cells) and multiple myeloma.
The causes of postrenal proteinuria are infections, urolithiasis, various tumor processes in the kidneys. What does protein in urine mean in women?
Proteinuria while expecting a baby
Reference values during this period are 0-0.3g/l2. What causes protein in the urine of pregnant women?
If these indicators exceed the permissible norms, then therisk of developing gestational pyelonephritis in the patient. An elevated level in the later stages (3rd trimester) is a reason to suspect preeclampsia, which is a severe complication manifested by increased pressure, massive swelling and muscle cramps. With pathological proteinuria in a pregnant woman, there is a general deterioration in well-being, chronic drowsiness and weakness, high blood pressure. This increases the likelihood of oxygen starvation of the fetus, violations of its development, miscarriage and premature birth. In addition, in the case of severe proteinuria, the probability of intrauterine fetal death increases by 5 times.
Deciphering the general urine test in adults
Decoding requires the necessary medical qualifications, so experts do not recommend self-interpretation of the result. This laboratory study is characterized by high information content, ease of conduct and is considered fundamental in the diagnosis of any disease.
Parameters included in the general urinalysis:
- organoleptic indicators (smell, color, volume, foaminess, transparency);
- physico-chemical values (acidity, density);
- biochemical indicators (sugar, protein, ketone bodies, urobilin);
- microscopic examination of sediment (leukocytes, erythrocytes, epithelial cells, cylinders, bacteria, s alt crystals, fungi).
Only a doctor can evaluate the results obtained during the study and take into account the characteristics of the patient's condition.
Sonormal readings are:
- color - straw yellow;
- smell - not sharp;
- absolute transparency;
- pH - from 4 to 7;
- density - 1012 g/l – 1022 g/l;
- protein volume - no more than 0.033 g/l;
- glucose - no more than 0.8 mmol/l;
- bilirubin – absence;
- ketone bodies - no;
- urobilinogen - 5-10 mg/l;
- hemoglobin – absence;
- erythrocytes - single (in men), no more than 3 (in women);
- white blood cells - no more than 6 (for women), no more than 3 (for men);
- epithelial cells - no more than 10;
- cylinders - single hyaline or absent;
- s alt - no;
- bacteria, fungi, parasites - no.
Why might urine protein testing be required at all?
Diagnosis when the indicator deviates from the norm
As already mentioned, there is a daily rate of protein excreted in the urine, so any deviation from it should be the basis for a thorough medical examination. In order to accurately determine whether there is a particular pathology in the body, you should contact a nephrologist or urologist. If a protein in the urine in late pregnancy was found, then not only a doctor in the field of nephrology or urology, but also a therapist or gynecologist can solve such a problem. Diagnostic measures include the following mandatory procedures:
- Ultrasound of the bladder and kidneys;
- Renal MRI;
- radioisotope diagnostics for the presence of various urological diseases;
- urodynamic diagnostics;
- uroflowmetry.
In addition to instrumental diagnostic techniques, the patient must pass a urine test for traces of albumin and protein.
How to lower the level?
The treatment course to eliminate this problem depends on the factors that provoked it. If an increased protein content in the urine is detected, profile therapy is prescribed, aimed at eliminating the underlying disease. Due to the fact that this condition has many causes, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis. The urinary system is examined first.
Most often, with a high protein content in the urine, experts prescribe the following medications:
- antibiotics, the action of which should be directed to the elimination of a specific pathogen, predetermined through laboratory tests;
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- drugs that can reduce blood pressure;
- antihistamines;
- cytostatics (if needed);
- glucocorticosteroids;
- painkillers, in the case when the patient has a pronounced pain syndrome.
As a rule, after the elimination of the underlying pathology that provoked a change in the protein in the urine, this value returns to normal.
Preparing for analysis
So that the analysis gives the maximumcorrect result, the patient needs to know how to collect urine to detect daily proteinuria.
For urine, you need to purchase a special container. 24 hours before urine collection, you should refuse spicy, fatty, rich and s alty foods, as well as vegetables, citrus fruits, fatty foods. In addition, you should postpone taking medications for some time. Women of reproductive age with urine tests should wait if they are menstruating during this period.
The genitals must be clean when collecting urine, otherwise the result will be unreliable. After collecting the liquid, the jar is tightly covered with a lid and placed in a dark, cool place. Biomaterial can be stored for a maximum of two hours before the study.
We looked at what high protein in the urine means.
