What is a urine protein (albumin) test?
It is a test that looks for the presence of albumin in your urine. Albumin is a type of protein that is normally found in the blood. Your body needs protein. It is an important nutrient that helps build muscle, repair tissue, and fight infection. But protein should be in your blood, not your urine.
How is a urine test done?
A simple urine test can be done in your doctor’s office. You will be asked to pee into a clean cup called a “specimen cup.” Only a small amount of your urine is needed (about two tablespoons) to do the test. Some of the urine is tested right away with a dipstick — a thin, plastic strip that is placed in the urine. The rest is examined under a microscope.
What’s wrong with having albumin (protein) in my urine?
One of the main jobs of your kidneys is to filter your blood. When your kidneys are healthy, they keep important things your body needs inside your blood, like protein. They also remove things your body doesn’t need, like waste products and extra water.
If your kidneys are damaged, protein can “leak” out of the kidneys into your urine. Having protein in your urine is called “albuminuria” or “proteinuria.”
If I have albuminuria, does it mean I have kidney disease?
It may be an early sign of kidney disease, but your doctor will check you again to make sure albuminuria is not caused by something else, like not drinking enough water. If your doctor suspects that you have kidney disease, the urine test for albumin will be repeated. Three positive results over three months or more is a sign of kidney disease.
You will also be given a simple blood test to estimate GFR. GFR stands for glomerular filtration rate. Your GFR number tells you how well your kidneys are working.
You may also be given:
- Imaging tests. (An ultrasound or CT scan). This produces a picture of your kidneys and urinary tract. It can show whether your kidneys have kidney stones or other problems.
- A kidney biopsy. This can help find out what caused your kidney disease and how much damage to the kidneys has happened.
How often do I need to have a test for albuminuria (proteinuria)?
People who are at increased risk for kidney disease should have this test as part of routine checkups by a healthcare provider. Those at increased risk include:
- People with diabetes
- People with high blood pressure
- People with a family history of kidney failure
- People who are 65 years or older
- Certain ethnic groups including African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, American Indians
If I have albuminuria, will I need treatment?
If kidney disease is confirmed, your healthcare provider will create a treatment plan for you. You may also be asked to see a special kidney doctor called a nephrologist. Your treatment may include:
- Medications
- Changes in your diet
- Lifestyle changes such as losing extra weight, exercising, and stopping smoking.
What are the symptoms of kidney disease?
Most people with kidney disease do not have symptoms unless the disease is very advanced. However, you may feel:
- Swelling
- Shortness of breath
- Needing to urinate more often
- Hiccups
- Fatigue (feeling tired)
- Trouble sleeping
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dry, itchy skin.
For more information:
- Speak to your healthcare provider
- Call the National Kidney Foundation’s toll-free number 1-800-622-9010.
Your kidneys filter waste products from your blood while keeping what your body needs — including proteins. However, some diseases and conditions allow proteins to pass through the filters of your kidneys, causing protein in urine.
Conditions that can cause a temporary rise in the levels of protein in urine, but don’t necessarily indicate kidney damage, include:
- Dehydration
- Exposure to extreme cold
- Fever
- Strenuous exercise
Tests to identify protein in urine are critical for diagnosing and screening for diseases of the kidneys or other conditions affecting kidney function. These tests are also used to monitor disease progression and treatment effect. These diseases and conditions include:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease)
- Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)
- Glomerulonephritis (inflammation in the kidney cells that filter waste from the blood)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- IgA nephropathy (Berger’s disease) (kidney inflammation resulting from a buildup of the antibody immunoglobulin A)
- Lupus
- Multiple myeloma
- Nephrotic syndrome (damage to small filtering blood vessels in the kidneys)
- Preeclampsia
Other conditions and factors affecting the kidneys that may result in protein in urine include:
- Amyloidosis (buildup of abnormal proteins in your organs)
- Certain drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Heart disease
- Heart failure
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Hodgkin’s disease)
- Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
- Malaria
- Orthostatic proteinuria (urine protein level rises when in an upright position)
- Rheumatoid arthritis