Alternative names
Protein - urine; Albumin - urine; Urine albumin; Proteinuria; Albuminuria

Definition
A urine albumin test measures the amount of protein in urine.

How the test is performed

Urine protein is tested by one of these methods:

  1. To quickly see whether or not protein is present in urine, a “spot test” is used. In this test, a chemically treated stick is dipped into a random sample of urine, simply to see if protein is detectable.
  2. To actually measure how much protein is being excreted in the urine, a 24-hour urine sample is required.

The health care provider will instruct you, if necessary, to discontinue drugs that may interfere with the test. The procedure for collecting urine over 24 hours is as follows:

 
• On day 1, urinate into the toilet when you get up in the morning.  
• Afterwards, collect all urine in a special container for the next 24 hours.  
• On day 2, urinate into the container when you get up in the morning.  
• Cap the container. Keep it in the refrigerator or a cool place during the collection period. Label the container with your name, the date, the time of completion, and return it as instructed.

In infants, thoroughly wash the area around the urethra. Open a Urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end), and place it on the infant. For males, the entire penis can be placed in the bag and the adhesive attached to the skin. For females, the bag is placed over the labia. Diaper as usual over the secured bag. This procedure may take a couple of attempts - lively infants can displace the bag, causing the specimen to be absorbed by the diaper. The infant should be checked frequently and the bag changed after the infant has urinated into the bag. The urine is drained into the container for transport to the laboratory.

Deliver it to the laboratory or your health care provider as soon as possible upon completion.

How to prepare for the test
The health care provider may advise the person to discontinue drugs that can interfere with the test. (See Special Considerations.)

In infants and children:
The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child’s age, previous experiences, and level of trust. For general information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics:

 
• Infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)  
• Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)  
• Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)  
• Schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)  
• Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

How the test will feel
The test only involves normal urination, and there is no discomfort.

Why the test is performed

This test is most often performed when kidney disease is suspected. It may be used as a screening test.

Normally, protein is not found in urine when a routine dipstick test is performed. This is because the kidney is supposed to keep large molecules, such as protein, in the blood and only filter out smaller impurities. Even if small amounts of protein do get through, they are normally re-absorbed by the body and used as a source of energy.

Some proteins will appear in the urine if the levels of protein in blood become high, even when the kidney is functioning properly.

If the kidney is diseased, protein will appear in the urine - even if the blood levels are normal.

Normal Values

 
• For a spot check by dipstick: the normal values are approximately 0 to 8 mg/dl. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.  
• For a 24-hour test: the normal value is less than 150mg per 24 hours.

Note: mg/dl = milligrams per deciliter

What abnormal results mean
Abnormal results may mean an increase in urine protein, and this 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

What the risks are
There are no risks.

Special considerations
Interfering factors include:

 
• Severe emotional stress  
• Strenuous exercise  
• Radiopaque contrast media within 3 days of the urine test  
• Urine contaminated with vaginal secretions

Drugs that can increase measurements include acetazolamide, aminoglycosides, amphotericin B, cephalosporins, colistin, griseofulvin, lithium, methicillin, nafcillin, nephrotoxic drugs (such as arsenicals, gold salts), oxacillin, penicillamine, penicillin G, phenazopyridine, polymyxin B, salicylates, sulfonamides, tolbutamide, and viomycin.

Medical Encyclopedia

All ArmMed Media material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.