What is Protein in Urine Test? Planning for a urine test? Or going to collect urine sample? This article will provide you with some important preparation tips before starting the test and a detailed procedure for collecting urine test samples.
Important Tips before you Go For Protein Urine Test:
You need to inform your doctor about all your Medications:
- 1. Inform your health care personnel about all your current medications.
- 2. Do not take any special medicine or supplement without consulting a doctor prior to your test.
- 3. Do not stop any medication prescribed by your doctor without informing him.
-
Test report interference:
There are some drugs or conditions that interfere with the protein test reports.
These include,
- 1. Contrast dye or material
- 4. Infections of Urinary bladder
-
Contrast Dye or Material
Patients planning to get a protein urine test must ensure that he or she must not have undergone any radiology scan which requires the administration of contrast dye in his body. Any type of contrast dye administration, either orally or intravenously in the blood will reach out to the kidneys for filtration and will occur in the urine. The contrast dye in the urine will always interfere with the protein test results and the person might get a false report.
Dehydration
Dehydration is the loss of fluids in the body. When a person is dehydrated, blood filtration results in concentrated urine.
Vaginal discharge
can also interfere in your protein urine test results, if they mix with the urine sample.
Fungal, bacterial or viral infections of Urinary bladder or urinary tract
Why is the urine protein test performed?
Doctor ask for protein urine test due to the following reasons,
- 1. Prognosis of kidney problems
- 2. Diagnosis of kidney diseases
- 3. Therapy for kidney and renal related problems
-
Urine protein test at home
Home test kits to check protein in your pee are available without a doctor’s prescription. Urine protein test kits have dipsticks for urine sample collection. You can go through the instruction guide before starting the test.
How to Collect Urine Test Sample
You will be provided with a sterile small container (labelled with your name or code) with lid, tissue and steriliser liquid to clean your penis or vagina.
- 1. Wash your hands properly and clean your penis or vagina thoroughly with water and tissues.
- 2. Hold the labelled container or label it and open the lid.
- 3. Collect the urine (only the middle stream), Let the urine stream flow starting out of the container then collect the middle stream into the container and close the lid.
- 4. Clean the outside of the container with tissue paper and secure the container in the bag provided and return it to the lab test personnel.
-
Urine Protein Normal Range
Generally, in a healthy individual there is a very minute amount of protein released in the urine that is less than 150 mg per day. However, in patients with damaged kidneys or with kidney dysfunction there is an extra amount of protein released in urine. Abnormally high protein levels in urine is called proteinuria. Patients with persistent proteinuria might have defected or infected kidneys.
Urine Protein Test Results
High level of proteins in your urine is termed as proteinuria. If this condition persists that means the kidneys are damaged and not functioning properly. Incomplete filteration of blood result in release of proteins in urine. More than 300 units of protein/ creatinine ratio indicates problems in kidneys, blood circulation or excretory system.
Protein/creatinine ratio- 200-300
Urine protein Dipstick test Reading interpretation
False Positive results might be due to
- 1. Hematuria
- 2. Dehydration
- 3. Urinary tract infections
- 4. Heavy excercises
- 5. Alkaline urine pH more than 8
-
False Negative
- 1. Due to Positively charged proteins
- 2. Overhydration
-
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1. How can I prepare before a protein urine test?
Important tips before you go for protein urine test
You need to inform your doctor about all your Medications:
- 1. Inform your health care personnel about all your current medications.
- 2. Do not take any special medicine or supplement without consulting a doctor prior to your test.
- 3. Do not stop any medication prescribed by your doctor without informing him.
-
Q.2. How come urine protein test results vary?
There are some drugs or conditions that interfere with the protein test reports. These include,
- 1. Contrast dye or material
- 2. Dehydration
- 3. Vaginal discharge
- 4. Infections of Urinary bladder
-
Q.3. How can a contrast dye material affect urine protein test results?
Contrast dye or material – Patients planning to get a protein urine test must ensure that he or she must not have undergone any radiology scan which requires the administration of contrast dye in his body. Any type of contrast dye administration, either orally or intravenously in the blood will reach out to the kidneys for filtration and will occur in the urine. The contrast dye in the urine will always interfere with the protein test results and the person might get a false report.
Q.4. What are the factors that affect urine protein test reports?
- 1. Dehydration: Dehydration is the loss of fluids in the body. When a person is dehydrated, blood filtration results in concentrated urine.
- 2. Vaginal discharge can also interfere in your protein urine test results, if they mix with the urine sample.
- 3. Fungal, bacterial or viral infections of Urinary bladder or urinary tract.
- 4. Contrast dye or material –The contrast dye in the urine will always interfere with the protein test results and the person might get a false report.
-
Q.5. Why is the urine protein test performed?
Doctor ask for protein urine test due to the following reasons,
- 1. Prognosis of kidney problems
- 2. Diagnosis of kidney diseases
- 3. Therapy for kidney and renal related problems
-
Q.6. Can I take Urine protein test at home?
Yes, we can take Urine protein test at home. Home test kits to check protein in your pee are available without a doctor’s prescription. Urine protein test kits have dipsticks for urine sample collection. You can go through the instruction guide before starting the test.
Q.7. How to collect urine test sample?
You will be provided with a sterile small container (labelled with your name or code) with lid, tissue and steriliser liquid to clean your penis or vagina.
- 1. Wash your hands properly and clean your penis or vagina thoroughly with water and tissues.
- 2. Hold the labelled container or label it and open the lid.
- 3. Collect the urine (only the middle stream), Let the urine stream flow starting out of the container then collect the middle stream into the container and close the lid.
- 4. Clean the outside of the container with tissue paper and secure the container in the bag provided and return it to the lab test personnel.
-
Q.8. What is the normal range protein in urine?
Generally, in a healthy individual there is a very minute amount of protein released in the urine that is less than 150 mg per day. However, in patients with damaged kidneys or with kidney dysfunction there is an extra amount of protein released in urine. Abnormally high protein levels in urine is called proteinuria. Patients with persistent proteinuria might have defected or infected kidneys.
Q.9. What does the urine protein test results show?
High level of proteins in your urine is termed as proteinuria. If this condition persists that means the kidneys are damaged and not functioning properly. Incomplete filtration of blood results in release of proteins in urine. More than 300 units of protein/ creatinine ratio indicates problems in kidneys, blood circulation or excretory system.
Protein/creatinine ratio- 200-300
Urine protein Dipstick test Reading interpretation
Q.10. What are false positive and negative urine protein test reports?
False Positive results might be due to
- 1. Hematuria
- 2. Dehydration
- 3. Urinary tract infections
- 4. Heavy excercises
- 5. Alkaline urine pH more than 8
-
False Negative
- 1. Due to Positively charged proteins
- 2. Overhydration
-
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