Proteinuria is a medical condition in which the urine contains exorbitant amount of proteins, and can be the first sign of chronic kidney disease (CKD). 24-Hour Urine Protein is a test undertaken to detect the amount of proteins (like albumin) in your urine and if there is any indication of kidney damage.
It is the function of kidneys to make sure that vital proteins needed for our body do not leak away into the urine. Excessive proteins in our urine have serious implications and generally mean damage of kidneys. This condition can be the aftermath of diabetes, diseases caused due inflammation of kidney and high blood pressure.
High levels of proteins in urine can mean a number of diseases including
- Multiple myeloma; which is cancer of plasma cells in the our bone marrow
- Wilson’s disease which is excess accumulation of copper in the body’s tissues, nephrotic syndrome, glomerulonephritis; which is a renal disease caused due to inflammation of small blood vessels in the kidneys
- Macroglobulinemia of Waldenstrom: another form of cancer
- Other renal diseases like pyelonephritis, cystinosis and Fanconi syndrome.
Strict regulation of diet and treatment is necessary for any of these diseases. This makes the 24-Hour urine protein a very important test. Known as various other names like Urine Protein to Creatinine Ratio, this test is a part of the routine physical tests undertaken.
Here some details of the test:
Preparation: There is no such preparation as such. Only some drugs which might interfere with the test need to be avoided a few days, as per the health care provider’s advice. Drugs like Acetaminophen, Non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and Gentamicin are some examples of drugs which might interfere with the process.
- For the test, 2 days urination is needed. On the first day, except the first urination in the morning, collect the rest of the urine in a special container(a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one side).The next day, collect all urine, including the first one in the morning, in the container
- Further, keep the container in a cool place and label the needed details including the time of completion.
- Collecting urine of an infant might be difficult and might need more than one attempt. Energetic infants can shake the bag, initiating the absorption of the urine through the diaper.
- Take the container to your doctor or the laboratory specialist; pour the contents in a bag which will be given to you.
The normal level of proteins in the urine is less than 150 milligrams per day. Any level higher than that can mean various disorders already mentioned. This test is also performed in case of complicated UTI (pyelonephritis).