Protein, urine

Alternative names:

albumin - urine; urine albumin; urine protein

Normal values:

For a spot check, the normal is 0 to 8 mg/dl.

For a 24-hour test, the normals are:

• 50 to 80 mg/24 hr at rest
• greater than 250 mg/24 hr after strenuous exercise

Note: mg/dl = milligrams per deciliter; mg/24 hr = milligrams per 24-hours

What abnormal results mean:

Increased urine protein may indicate:

• amyloidosis
• bacterial pyelonephritis
• bladder tumor
• congestive heart failure (inadequately perfusing the kidneys)
• diabetic nephropathy
• glomerulonephritis
• Goodpasture's syndrome
• heavy metal poisoning
• lupus erythematosus
• malignant hypertension
• multiple myeloma
• nephrotic syndrome
• nephrotoxic drug therapy
• polycystic kidney disease
• preeclampsia

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• acute nephritic syndrome
• complicated UTI (pyelonephritis)
• eclampsia
• hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS)
• interstitial nephritis
• medullary cystic disease
• membranoproliferative GN I
• membranoproliferative GN II
• membranous nephropathy
• necrotizing vasculitis
• post-streptococcal GN
• rapidly progressive (crescentic) glomerulonephritis
• reflux nephropathy
• renal vein thrombosis
• rocky mountain spotted fever