protein-in-urine
Reviewed
Also called: urine protein, 24-hour urine protein, urine total protein, reagent strip urinalysis
A protein in urine test measures how much protein is in your urine (pee). Normally, you have very little protein in your urine.
Specimen: urine
Why this test may be ordered
- as part of a routine checkup
- to monitor a condition affecting the kidneys
- if you have symptoms of kidney disease such as swelling in hands/feet, foamy urine, fatigue, or changes in urination
- if you have a high risk for kidney disease due to diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, family history, or certain medications
Preparation and collection
You don't need any special preparations to test for protein in urine. If your provider has ordered a 24-hour urine sample, you will be given a special container to collect your urine and instructions on how to collect and store your samples.
You will need to give a urine sample for the test. A health care professional may give you a cleansing wipe, a small container, and instructions for how to use the "clean catch" method to collect your urine sample.
There is no known risk to having a urinalysis or a protein in urine test.
Understanding results
A large amount of protein in urine (proteinuria) may mean you have a kidney problem.
- Negative (normal amount of protein): If your result is negative, your urine did not contain too much protein when you were tested. Limitation: A "24-hour urine sample test" may provide more complete results because the amount of protein and other substances in your urine can vary throughout the day. Next step: To learn what your results mean, talk with your provider.
- High protein level (proteinuria): If your urine protein remains high, it is likely a sign of kidney disease or kidney damage from other conditions. Limitation: If a large amount of protein is found in your urine sample, it doesn't always mean you have a medical problem that needs treatment. Your urine protein levels can also be high for a short time because of: strenuous exercise, dehydration, your diet, stress, pregnancy Next step: Your provider may recommend other urinalysis tests to see whether you continue to have a high protein level in your urine over time. But you will need more tests to diagnose what is causing the damage.
- A single high result may be temporary and not indicate a chronic condition.
- Persistent high protein requires further testing to diagnose the underlying cause.
- At-home test kits are available and can provide accurate results if instructions are followed carefully.
What to do next
The amount of protein in your urine is linked to the amount of kidney damage you may have. To learn what your results mean, talk with your provider.
- What is my risk for kidney disease?
- Do I need to repeat this test?
- What other tests might I need?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.