A healthy person excretes 1.0–1.5 liters of urine per day. The content of 8–10 mg/dl of protein in it is a physiological phenomenon. The daily norm of protein in urine is 100–150 mg and should not raise suspicions. Globulin, mucoprotein and albumin are what make up the total protein in the urine. A large outflow of albumin indicates a violation of the filtration process in the kidneys and is called proteinuria or albuminuria.

Each substance in the urine is assigned a “healthy” norm, and if the protein level fluctuates, this may indicate kidney pathology.

Methods for determining protein in urine

A general urine test involves using either the first (morning) portion or taking a daily sample. The latter is preferable for assessing the level of proteinuria, since the protein content has pronounced daily fluctuations. Urine is collected into one container during the day, and the total volume is measured. For a laboratory that tests urine for protein, a standard sample (50 to 100 ml) from this container is sufficient; the rest is not required. To obtain additional information, a Zimnitsky test is additionally performed, which shows whether urine levels per day are normal.

Methods for determining protein in urine
View	Subspecies			Peculiarities
Quality	Heller's test			Examination of urine for the presence of protein
	Sulfosalicylic acid test
	Boiling analysis
Quantitative		Turbidimetric	Protein from urine interacts with the reagent, resulting in reduced solubility. Sulfosalicylic and trichloroacetic acids and benzethonium chloride are used as reagents.
		Colorimetric	With some substances, the protein in the urine changes color. This is the basis of the biuret reaction and the Lowry method. Other reagents are also used - brilliant blue, pyrogallol red.
Semi-quantitative			They give a relative idea of ​​the amount of protein, the result is interpreted by the change in color of the sample. Semi-quantitative methods include test strips and the Brandberg-Roberts-Stolnikov method.

Protein norms for women, men and children

Protein in urine normally in an adult should not exceed 0.033 g/l. In this case, the daily norm is not higher than 0.05 g/l. For pregnant women, the norm of protein in daily urine is higher - 0.3 g/l, and in morning urine the same - 0.033 g/l. Protein norms differ in a general urine test and in children: 0.036 g/l for the morning portion and 0.06 g/l per day. Most often in laboratories, analysis is carried out using two methods, which show how much protein fraction is contained in urine. The above normal values ​​are valid for analysis performed with sulfosalicylic acid. If you used pyrogallol red dye, the values ​​will differ by three times.

Causes of albuminuria

• filtration in the renal glomeruli proceeds in the wrong way;
• protein absorption in the tubules is impaired;
• Some diseases put a heavy burden on the kidneys - when protein in the blood is elevated, the kidneys simply “do not have time” to filter it.

Other causes are considered non-renal. This is how functional albuminuria develops. Protein in urine analysis appears in allergic reactions, epilepsy, heart failure, leukemia, poisoning, myeloma, chemotherapy, and systemic diseases. Most often, this indicator in the patient’s tests will be the first sign of hypertension.

An increase in protein in urine may be due to non-pathological factors, so additional tests will be required.

Promotion Levels

Quantitative methods for determining protein in urine give errors, so it is recommended to conduct several tests and then use a formula to calculate the correct value. The protein content in urine is measured in g/l or mg/l. These protein indicators make it possible to determine the level of proteinuria, suggest the cause, assess the prognosis and decide on a strategy.

External manifestations

For the body to function properly, constant exchange between blood and tissues is necessary. It is possible only if there is a certain osmotic pressure in the blood vessels. Blood plasma proteins maintain such a level of pressure when low-molecular substances easily move from an environment with a high concentration to an environment with a lower one. The loss of protein molecules leads to the release of blood from its channel into the tissue, which is fraught with severe edema. This is how moderate and severe proteinuria manifests itself.

The initial stages of albuminuria are asymptomatic. The patient pays attention only to the manifestations of the underlying disease, which is the cause of the appearance of protein in the urine.

Trace proteinuria is an increase in protein levels in urine due to the consumption of certain foods.

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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 taking certain other medications.

In inflammatory diseases may be found elevated protein and leukocytes in urine. A common cause is pyelonephritis, diabetes mellitus, blood diseases, genitourinary tract infections, and appendicitis.

Leukocytes, along with protein, are present in urine analysis and as a result of taking 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, kidney stones and bladder stones.

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 when sedentary, into muscle mass and energy when moving). 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 move actively. 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:

1. Painful sensations in the bones;
2. Dizziness, drowsiness;
3. Fast fatiguability;
4. Fever due to inflammation (chills and fever);
5. Lack of appetite;
6. Nausea and vomiting;
7. 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 high protein in urine during pregnancy normal?

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 the individual characteristics of the patient.

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, agents for normalizing the lipid spectrum (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 of the forms 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;
• administration 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:

1. Reduced sensitivity to infections and toxins;
2. Blood clotting disorders, which can lead to prolonged bleeding;
3. If thyroxine-binding globulin leaves the body in the urine, then there is a high risk of developing hypothyroidism;
4. Damage to both kidneys, death due to nephropathy;
5. With gestosis in pregnant women - pulmonary edema, acute renal failure, coma, hemorrhages in internal organs, threat of fetal death, severe
6. 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.

An excess of protein in the urine beyond acceptable limits is called proteinuria. Proteinuria itself is not an independent disease, but is an indicator of a number of pathological or physiological conditions that can cause a deterioration in the filtration capacity of the kidneys.

If the protein in a woman’s urine is increased, the reasons may be related to anatomical and physiological characteristics (vaginal infections, pregnancy). Protein in urine also increases significantly after childbirth.

If the deterioration of kidney function is associated with ischemic changes in the vascular system of the body, an infectious lesion, then proteinuria is not directly related to gender, since only the routes of penetration of infectious agents into the kidneys differ:

• ascending infection of the kidneys due to urogenital infections (in women);
• penetration of infection directly through tissue during inflammation of the prostate gland (in men).

The mechanism of proteinuria

Proteins are the main building blocks of human tissue and, depending on the combination of amino acid composition, perform the following functions in the body:

• serve as catalysts for biochemical processes;
• participate in metabolism;
• carry out energy metabolism in tissues;
• participate in the digestive process.

Proteins of different molecular weights can be found in blood plasma:

• not exceeding 20,000 Da (Da is a unit of measurement for the molecular weight of proteins);
• exceeding 60,000 Da.

The filtration function of the kidneys is ensured by distillation of plasma through glomeruli of microscopic vessels that have low permeability due to the presence of membranes. Proteins weighing less than 20,000 Da pass through the filter and return to the bloodstream through the kidney tubules.

In a healthy body, proteins weighing more than 20,000 Da, for example, albumin, whose mass is 65,000 Da, are not able to overcome the filtration barrier. Ultimately, such a small amount of protein ends up in the urine that equipment often cannot detect its presence.

The renal glomeruli act as a filter, allowing blood plasma to pass through them.

The main factors provoking the development of pathology are:

• deterioration of the filtering capacity of the glomeruli;
• deterioration of the absorption capacity of the walls of the renal tubules.

Thus, proteinuria is a condition in which proteins with a molecular weight exceeding 20,000 Da are excreted from the body, which is a deviation from the norm.

The normal amount of protein in the urine of a healthy woman is the amount that can be visualized using modern equipment during laboratory urine testing. The norm is 0.033 g/day.

Classification

Proteinuria can be classified according to several main criteria.

For development reasons:

• arising as a result of any disease (pathological);
• arising as a result of any physiological changes (physiological).

According to the degree of manifestation (the amount of protein excreted in the urine is estimated):

• microproteinuria (protein in the urine is within the minimum acceptable norm, that is, slightly above 0.033 g/day). As a rule, such indicators do not require treatment and go away on their own;
• slight proteinuria (the protein content in the urine exceeds the permissible norms by no more than 10 times, that is, on average - 0.3 g/day). Such an increase in protein levels is observed in women with acute inflammatory diseases of the bladder and urinary tract and disappears after appropriate treatment;
• moderate proteinuria (protein in urine reaches 0.5-2 g/day, that is, on average it can increase more than 30 times). An increase in indicators is associated with necrotic lesions of kidney tissue (glomeruli, tubules), due to a long course of inflammatory processes or pathological changes due to the development of neoplasms;
• high proteinuria (protein content exceeds standard values ​​by more than 100 times and amounts to 2-3.5 g/day). As a rule, this type of proteinuria is associated with the development of chronic renal failure.

The prognosis for the treatment of high degrees of proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome (chronic renal failure) is generally unfavorable.

Using test strips, protein in urine can be detected at home.

Pathological proteinuria is a consequence of any disease of the kidneys, cardiovascular system, or endocrine disorders.

Physiological proteinuria is not associated with kidney pathologies and may be a consequence of:

• significant physical activity;
• emotional overload;
• excessive consumption of foods rich in proteins;
• increased body temperature (especially in older people and children).

Differentiated diagnosis of proteinuria in women

Speaking about the norms of protein in a woman’s urine, it should be taken into account that the test results are significantly influenced by her physiological state. To correctly assess the results, in the presence of proteinuria of any degree, a differentiated approach is required, which consists of comparing the following data:

• assessment of urine acid-base reaction;
• simultaneous presence of blood and protein in the urine;
• presence of active leukocytes;
• number of detected cylinders.

Cylinders are called formations secreted by the kidneys, formed in the renal tubules and having the appropriate shape (cylinder). Depending on the pathology of the kidneys, the cylinder may consist of protein, epithelium, red blood cells, or dark blood fragments.

The normal acid-base balance of urine is approximately pH 6; changes in acidity upward can distort the data, since destruction of the cylinders occurs and the analysis may provide incomplete information.

Laboratory methods of urine analysis include a comprehensive assessment of the content of organized sediment

The appearance of blood in the urine is a sign of damage to various levels of the urinary tract. To clarify the source of bleeding, the three-glass test method is used. To do this, a woman must fill 3 containers during urination:

• 1st fills at the beginning of urination;
• 2nd in the middle of urination;
• 3rd at the end.

If blood cells are present in the first container, this indicates pathological processes in the urethra. The appearance of blood in the last container is a sign of damage to the bladder, since at the end of urination there is a strong contraction of its walls. An equal amount of blood in all three containers or an obvious predominance in the second glass indicates kidney damage.

The presence of leukocytes and proteins indicates infection of the kidneys and urinary tract. Diagnosis of cylindruria can confirm a previously made diagnosis depending on the tissue composition of the cylinders.

When collecting urine for analysis, you should exclude the risk of vaginal discharge (leucorrhoea, pus) or menstrual blood, as this can lead to false positive results.

Table: Content of elements of organized sediment in urine in various diseases

Elements of organized urine sediment	Kidney diseases
	Glomerulonephritis, Interstitial nephritis, renal tuberculosis	Orthostatic proteinuria	Pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis	Nephrotic syndrome
Proteins (proteinuria)	0.3 - 0.5 g/day	0.033 - 0.3 g/day	0.1 - 0.3 g/day	0.5 - 1.0 g/day
Red blood cells (hematuria)	> 3 x 103/ml	-	-	-
Leukocytes (leukocyturia)	> 5 x 103/ml	-	> 5 x 103/ml	>10
Cylinders (cylindriuria)	> 4/ml	-	> 5/ml	> 5/ml

Protein levels during pregnancy

Changes in protein concentration during pregnancy can range from acceptable 0.033 g/day to 0.3 g/day. However, elevated protein is not always an indicator of an existing pathology, since it can be caused by a mechanical effect on the kidneys from the growing uterus.

There is a scientifically proven fact that the threshold for increased protein can reach 500 mg/day without harming the condition of the fetus.

Proteinuria at the 20th week of pregnancy with a protein increase of more than 0.5 g/day may be a sign of nephropathy. Nephropathy at more than 5 months of pregnancy is one of the manifestations of toxicosis in pregnant women and is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• severe tissue swelling;
• hypertension;
• proteinuria (protein above 500 mg/day).

Swelling of the legs during pregnancy indicates insufficient kidney function

Similar symptoms are observed in eclampsia, characterized by damage to the central nervous system and accompanied by convulsive seizures that threaten premature spontaneous termination of pregnancy.

If protein is detected in the urine of pregnant women, first of all, you should ensure the presence or absence of kidney pathology. To do this, the amount of urine excreted by a woman per day is examined. If the volume of urine excreted during the night is more than during the day, the development of renal failure can be assumed.

When studying diuresis, the volume of fluid consumed per day is taken into account, as well as the timing of pregnancy, since in the first weeks diuresis occurs in larger volumes than in the last. For the same purpose, daily weighing is used, with which you can detect the retention of excess fluid in the body.

Due to the fact that the protein content in urine can change during the day, a single urine sample with elevated protein levels does not mean the presence of kidney pathology. If protein in the urine appears exclusively in an upright position, then orthostatic proteinuria is diagnosed.

In this case, several urine samples are taken during the day, the first of which is performed before getting up in the morning in a lying position. The next portions are taken after taking a vertical position and after minor physical exertion. If an increase in indicators is observed with each subsequent sample, then we can confidently say that orthostatic proteinuria occurs.

In the later stages of pregnancy, stagnation may occur in the pelvic organs, which also contribute to an increase in protein in the urine

How to properly collect urine for analysis

Before taking a urine test for protein, you must stop drinking alcohol and diuretics for 2-3 days. If diuretics cannot be discontinued due to medical conditions, this should be discussed with your doctor in advance.

Immediately before the urine collection procedure, the following actions must be performed:

• perform hygiene procedures for the genitals using appropriate means;
• when filling the container, do not touch its edges with your genitals;
• before starting to urinate, spread the labia;
• Use a cotton swab dipped in clean water to wipe the urethral area;
• start urinating into the toilet;
• fill the container with urine;
• complete urination;
• Seal the container with urine hermetically.

In the case of urine collection for analysis according to the rule of three glasses, to diagnose the source of hematuria, steps 5-7 are performed in three different containers

Treatment

Treatment of proteinuria consists of eliminating the causes of the development of the pathological condition and targeted restoration of kidney function.

If the root cause is inflammatory processes, then it would be logical to use antibiotics and antibacterial agents, followed by therapy with drugs that have a nephroprotective effect:

• ACE inhibitors;
• calcium channel blockers;
• angiotensin receptor blockers.

Therapy with drugs from the ACE inhibitor group helps to achieve a lasting positive result, and in some cases, complete cure

Treatment of proteinuria in pregnant women is primarily aimed at eliminating high blood pressure and preventing the development of convulsive syndrome. For this purpose, use:

• infusions with mild antispasmodics;
• drugs to restore water-salt metabolism;
• drugs to reduce blood clotting (use with caution).

If severe nephropathy is diagnosed and there is no positive dynamics within 2 weeks, early delivery may be indicated.

Physiological proteinuria does not require drug treatment, in this case it is advisable:

• reduction of emotional and physical stress;
• limiting protein and salty foods;
• good sleep;
• to give up smoking.

Proper rest helps restore kidney function and reduce protein levels in the urine during physiological proteinuria

When detecting protein in the urine of women, first of all, it is necessary to find out why this deviation occurred. The list of diagnostic procedures includes not only a set of urine tests, but also a study of indicators of the rate of filtration capacity of the kidneys.

Unfortunately, pregnancy imposes multiple limitations on the possibilities of diagnostic procedures, but under certain conditions, quite informative results can be obtained that allow you to select the optimal therapy.

Increased protein in urine - what does it mean? Many patients immediately assume they have kidney disease and go for examination, but according to the results, their kidneys may be healthy.

Oddly enough, excessive protein secretion can be observed in many different diseases, as well as in ordinary conditions that are relatively normal for the human body and do not require treatment. A specialist should help you understand exactly why protein levels have increased.

In this article we will talk about the possible reasons why protein appears in the urine, find out what symptoms are characteristic of this condition, and also get acquainted with the methods by which this deviation from the norm can be detected.

Proteinuria is a medical term that means an increase in the concentration of protein in the urine. Normally, when taking tests there should be no protein, but an error in a very small amount is allowed, up to 0.033 g/l.

The kidneys perform many different functions:

• removal of water and metabolic products;
• regulation of ionic and acid-base balance;
• hormone synthesis, intermediate metabolism.

One of the most important mechanisms is urine formation. Glomerular and glomerular filtration are the main processes from which ultrafiltration is formed. During ultrafiltration, primary urine is formed.

With glomerular defects, protein molecules cannot be retained by the basement membrane and penetrate into the primary urine, and therefore an increased level of protein in the urine may be observed. Normally, protein molecules are too large to easily penetrate through the pores.

If protein in the urine is increased, the reasons may be physiological or pathological. Physiological causes are observed in absolutely healthy people; over time, the protein returns to normal, and most often no treatment is required.

The reasons are:

1. Physical activity and stressful situations can lead to the release of small amounts of protein, resulting in temporary proteinuria.
2. The reasons for the increase in protein in the urine are associated with eating a large amount of protein food (eggs, some types of meat, dairy products) the day before.
3. Late pregnancy. Most often this occurs due to mechanical compression of the kidneys due to fetal growth.
4. Medical manipulations, for example, active palpation of the kidneys through the anterior abdominal wall or Charcot's shower can lead to a temporary increase in protein in the urine.
5. Hypothermia and colds (ARVI, flu) can provoke an increased level of protein in the urine of a child or an adult.
6. Errors in collecting urine for analysis, namely the absence or insufficiently thorough hygiene procedures before collection, lead to the fact that the results reveal high protein in the urine of a child or adult.

Pathological causes are associated with diseases of both the kidneys and other organs and body systems, and can be as follows:

1. – an infectious disease during which the tissue structures of the kidney vessels are affected, resulting in their functional failure (impaired urine formation and removal of toxins). During the acute stage of this disease, leukocytes and protein in the urine are increased, in addition, other disturbances are observed: changes in density and color, reduced volume of urine excreted.
2. If high protein is detected in the urine, the reasons lie in the existing species. It is worth noting that proteinuria due to stones in different parts of the urinary system is quite rare. More typical is the detection of leukocytes in the urine.
3. – characterized by a nonspecific inflammatory process in the tissues of the kidneys and the collecting system. The presence of bacteria, as well as an increased concentration of protein in the urine of a child or adult, is detected in the results of OAM.
4. If there is increased protein in the urine, this may indicate specific kidney damage. which occurs in patients with diabetes. Another name for this pathology is diabetic nephropathy. Damage to the vessels of the kidneys and the formation of nodular or diffuse glomerulosclerosis occurs, with the possible development of renal failure. Protein release is characteristic of stages 2-4 of diabetic nephropathy.
5. Prostatitis– acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate gland in men. Often accompanied by changes in the general urine analysis, namely the presence of a small amount of protein, leukocytes, erythrocytes, and salts.
6. At there is blood in the urine, there is an increase in protein in the urine; the reasons are associated with a gradual disruption of the normal functioning of the kidneys.
7. Obesity 3-4 degrees- this is a condition in which the patient’s weight exceeds the recommended norm by 55-100% or more, which means an increase in weight on average twice as much as normal. The appearance of protein in the urine occurs because kidney function is impaired due to excess weight.
8. Why is there increased protein in the urine? The cause may be hypertension at stages 2-3. Most often, hematuria, cylindruria and proteinuria occur in patients with intercurrent diseases (i.e. those that complicate the course of the underlying disease).
9. Presence of non-organ-specific autoimmune diseases, like systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma, which affect the connective tissues and blood vessels of the kidneys, which causes an increase in protein in the urine. The functioning of the heart, liver, lungs, and joints is also disrupted, and the serous membranes and skin are affected.
10. Myeloma– another reason why protein in the urine is increased. This is a malignant disease that affects the hematopoietic system and bones. Kidney damage is typical for most patients. The presence of protein in the urine is observed, cylindruria and a large amount of Betts-Jones protein are characteristic.

Note! In some cases, increased protein in the urine of a child can be observed with long-term use of antibacterial drugs.

Urinalysis technique

Before you find out what causes increased protein in the urine, you need to actually find this very protein. To do this, the doctor writes a referral for a general urine test.

This type of analysis is very informative and is the main diagnostic test in many areas of medicine. Using analysis, you can not only determine the physical properties of urine, but also its composition.

Instructions for preparing for the study include the following recommendations:

1. The day before collecting biomaterial, limit the consumption of foods that tend to change the color of urine (bright fruits and vegetables, spices, sweets and smoked foods).
2. Limit the consumption of alcohol, vitamins, dietary supplements and diuretics (including coffee).
3. If possible, do not visit the bathhouse or sauna the day before, and avoid physical activity.
4. If the patient is taking any medications, it is necessary to notify the doctor about this.
5. It is prohibited to take a urine test if a cystoscopy was performed less than a week ago.

The sample should not be contaminated with foreign matter, and therefore it is recommended to follow the rules for collecting material:

1. To carry out the analysis, morning urine is used, which accumulates in the bladder throughout the night.
2. Before collecting biomaterial, it is necessary to toilet the genital organs. This will avoid unreliable results.
3. Use sterile, disposable containers that have not previously been in contact with cleaning agents or detergents.
4. To prevent bacteria from the external genitalia from getting into the sample, it is necessary to flush a little urine into the toilet, and then, without stopping urination, collect about 100-150 ml of urine in a container without touching the skin with the container.
5. Biomaterial can be stored for no more than 1-2 hours at a temperature of about 5-18С. Material that was stored at room temperature is unsuitable for analysis.
6. Urine bags can be used to collect urine from children in the first year of life. What determines this technique of collecting from a child - the reasons for using bags are simple: collecting material from small children is quite difficult, especially if diapers are regularly used.

Based on the results of the analysis, the following is assessed:

1. Volume– normally about 100-300 ml, a smaller amount may indicate dehydration or renal failure. An increased amount is possible with diabetes mellitus or pyelonephritis.
2. Color– straw yellow. A change in color occurs in diseases of the liver, kidneys, and the presence of purulent inflammatory processes. Also, the color of the material may change when using various medications and vitamins.
3. Smell– changes with diabetes mellitus and inflammation in the genitourinary system.
4. Foaminess– normally absent. A large amount of foam is typical for proteinuria, jaundice, stress, diabetes, some metabolic disorders, etc.
5. Transparency– normally transparent. Turbidity can be caused by mucus, red blood cells, salts, pus and other inclusions.
6. Density– 1000-1025 units. An increase in indicators is characteristic of dehydration, and a decrease is characteristic of kidney disease.
7. Acidity– 5-7.5 pH
8. Ketone bodies- are a sign of diabetes.
9. Bilirubin– does not occur normally. Found in urine in liver pathologies.
10. Protein– should not occur, but the presence of no more than 0.033 g/l is allowed. Depending on the increase in protein levels in the urine, proteinuria is classified into mild (1 g/day), moderate (1-3 g/day) and severe (3 g/day or more).
11. Blood cells– single ones may be observed in the field of view. An increase in their number indicates kidney disease, intoxication, and autoimmune diseases.
12. Bacteria– are not detected normally. Their appearance is characteristic of infectious diseases of the urinary tract.
13. Cylinders– any types of casts are not observed in the urine of a healthy person. Their appearance indicates pathologies of the urinary tract, severe physical exertion and stress, viral infections, and hypertension.
14. Mushrooms– urine analysis indicates a fungal infection of the genitourinary system.
15. Salts– practically absent. They can be diagnosed with a sudden change in diet, dehydration, intense physical activity and some kidney diseases.

It is worth noting that the price of a general urine test is very low, and in public medical institutions this study is carried out free of charge.

From the photos and videos in this article, we were able to learn about the most common causes of proteinuria, and also looked at the technique of preparing for a general urine test.

Frequently asked questions to the doctor

Unknown reasons

Hello. I gave birth less than a week ago, the baby had a urine test and an increased amount of protein was determined. Tell me, why is there increased protein in a child’s urine?

Good afternoon. This phenomenon occurs among newborns and is not a pathology. This occurs due to the fact that the permeability of the epithelium of the glomeruli and tubules of the kidneys increases, against the background of the hemodynamics of the newborn. If proteinuria persists after the first 7-10 days of a child’s life, it makes sense to consider it pathological.

Hello, dear readers! Pathological processes that occur in the kidneys are primarily reflected in the composition of urine. Today I want to introduce you to another secret of laboratory research and tell you about increased protein in the urine, why it appears there, how much of it should be normal and what a deviation from the norm means.

This laboratory indicator is most important for the doctor to make a diagnosis. Normally, there should be no protein in the urine, but acceptable values ​​can be up to 0.033 g/l. Anything above this value is called proteinuria.

The biological value of proteins in the human body is extremely important. After all, proteins are building materials for building cells, protect the body from infections, help absorb vitamins and microelements, etc. Proteins - enzymes that make up enzymes help in biological and chemical processes in the body.

The kidneys filter our blood, removing from the body not only excess water, but also metabolic end products, inorganic and organic substances and toxins. The appearance of protein in the urine is one of the signs of a wide range of diseases that can be divided into three groups:

1. When the permeability of the glomerular filter is impaired, the renal glomeruli cannot filter high molecular weight proteins. Glomerular (glomerular) proteinuria is a mandatory sign of many kidney diseases, with hypertension, atherosclerotic nephrosclerosis, and congestive kidney.
2. Reabsorption disorder, when, during normal filtration in the glomeruli, reabsorption of low molecular weight proteins does not occur. Tubular proteinuria is observed in glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, renal amyloidosis, and systemic diseases.
3. Proteinuria “overflow” is much less common and most often it is one of the signs of neoplasms.

Protein in urine is normal

As I have already noted, a healthy person should not have protein in the urine, but its acceptable values ​​are up to 0.033 g/l.

Increased protein in the urine (also called albuminuria) can be orthostatic in nature and can be observed after heavy physical work, in athletes, with increased sweating, in weakly physically developed schoolchildren and adolescents, in pregnant women.

Exceeding the norm may be due to improper collection of urine for research. Even improper toileting of the genitals before taking the test can affect the result. How to properly prepare for a urine test?

Increased protein in urine

The cause of increased protein in the urine can be various different diseases:

• viral and bacterial infections,
• prolonged fasting and
• burn disease,
• hormonal changes.

As a rule, after recovery from these diseases, the release of protein into the urine stops.

The main and most common cause is pathological processes in the kidneys and urinary tract themselves.

But albuminuria is possible not only with kidney diseases. This can be one of the signs of allergic reactions, leukemia, epilepsy and heart failure.

Depending on the amount of protein, there are 3 degrees of proteinuria:

1. Initial – protein content in daily urine – 150-500 mg/l;
2. Moderate – from 500 mg/l to 2 g/l;
3. Macroproteinuria – more than 2 g/l, which occurs in severe kidney damage (glomerulonephritis, tuberculosis, tumors, amyloidosis, etc.). This level can lead to serious consequences, including kidney failure, when hemodialysis or an artificial kidney machine will be required to restore function.

If a slight increase in protein is observed for quite a long time, then this is also a reason for a more thorough examination by a doctor.

During pregnancy

As soon as a pregnant woman registers with the antenatal clinic, she needs to regularly, right up to the birth itself, have her urine tested before each visit to the gynecologist, including for protein. In the first half of pregnancy, urine is taken once a month, in the second half - once every 2 months. Why is this necessary?

Pregnancy is a special condition when, due to physiological characteristics, the functioning of some organs and the body as a whole changes. Thus, an increase in protein in the urine tells the gynecologist about possible pathologies that can negatively affect both the health of the woman herself and the growing fetus.

Exceeding normal protein levels may be due to physiological reasons (stress, use of certain medications, increased sweating, cold showers, etc.). Although experts say that a pregnant woman should not excrete more than 0.08 - 0.2 g/l per day. If exceeding the norm is observed once, then this does not cause concern. It is enough to regulate your diet and drinking regime. After eliminating the causes of protein in the urine, protein levels return to normal.

Pre-existing kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and high blood pressure can provoke increased protein in pregnant women.

But the most dangerous condition during pregnancy, accompanied by excess of the norm, is gestosis. With gestosis, the placenta begins to function improperly, as a result of which the growing fetus does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients. A possible outcome is premature birth, arrest of fetal development and even death.

As a form of late toxicosis, a woman, combined with high blood pressure, can develop very life-threatening conditions: nephropathy, preeclampsia and eclamsia.

If during pregnancy you experience dizziness, headache, ringing in the ears, darkening of the eyes - these are serious symptoms that should never be ignored, you should immediately inform your gynecologist about the appearance of these symptoms.

In children

Normally, a healthy child should not have protein in his urine. But its appearance should alert both parents and doctors. Because this may be one of the symptoms of a serious pathology.

In young children, exceeding the indicators can occur not only due to reasons that are also typical for adults. This is possible due to overheating, when the child is dressed very warmly, elevated temperature, during excessive physical activity, even in infants, when they move their arms and legs very actively, when using certain medications, allergies, injuries and burns.

Orthostatic proteinuria may occur in adolescents. With increased physical activity, the protein level can reach 1.0 g/l, this is observed more often in teenage boys.

To be sure of the correctness of the analysis result, a portion of urine is collected after a thorough morning toilet and it is best to take the middle portion of urine.

In men

It is necessary to separately note the deviation from the norm in urine analysis in men. In addition to the reasons described above for the appearance of protein in the urine, its appearance can be provoked by excessive consumption of protein foods and proteins.

Elevated levels can tell the doctor about the presence of prostatitis and urethritis in men. With a thorough examination, protein can be observed not only in kidney pathology, but it can be a symptom of hemolytic anemia, myocardial infarction, obliterating atherosclerosis with gangrene of the extremities, oncology, muscle injuries.

Symptoms of increased protein in urine

If the indicators in the analysis do not slightly exceed the norm, then people do not make any special complaints. However, a significant and long-term deviation from the norm may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• pain and aches in joints and muscles, night cramps in the legs,
• general weakness, loss of appetite, pale skin,
• fever and chills,
• high blood pressure,
• the appearance of edema,
• bad dream,
• loss of consciousness.

Visually, you can see flakes and white deposits in the urine, but the urine itself becomes cloudy.

If elevated protein is detected for the first time, it is necessary to retake the test, paying careful attention to the toilet of the genital organs, since remaining discharge in women or lubricant under the foreskin in men can get into the urine and the result will again be unreliable.

Dear readers, increased protein in the urine is a serious sign. If you have characteristic symptoms and changes in the appearance of urine, you must tell your doctor about this in order to begin timely treatment.