Protein
Protein in urine, or proteinuria, is an important diagnostic indicator that may indicate various kidney diseases and other organ disorders.
Normally, protein is absent or present in trace amounts in urine (less than 0.033 g/L), because the kidney filters do not allow large protein molecules to pass.
The appearance of protein in urine can be caused by both physiological and pathological reasons:
- Physiological causes: intense physical activity, stress, hypothermia, overheating, pregnancy.
- Pathological causes: glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, diabetic kidney damage, pyelonephritis, amyloidosis, urinary tract tumors, intoxications, arterial hypertension, heart failure, and other diseases.
To accurately determine the amount of protein in urine, a 24-hour urine collection may be performed, which helps assess the degree of proteinuria and identify possible pathologies.
Increased protein in urine requires further examination, as it is an early sign of kidney disease and may indicate impaired kidney filtration function.
Proper preparation for the test is important, as some factors (e.g., physical exertion or infection) can temporarily raise protein levels.