Proteinuria

What is proteinuria?

Proteinuria is medical jargon used to describe a condition that results in excessive amounts of protein in your urine. It’s normal to have small amounts of protein in your urine or even large amounts after a heavy workout or when you’re sick. But if you regularly have large amounts of protein in your urine, there is likely an underlying medical condition, like kidney disease, resulting in increased protein excretion.

What causes proteinuria?

There are several reasons you may have protein in your urine, some are benign, and others are more concerning, including:

• Acute illness or fever
• Chronic kidney disease or kidney infection
• Dehydration
• Heart disease or diabetes
• Pregnancy
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Strenuous exercise

Your Houston Kidney Specialists Center provider can help you determine the cause of proteinuria and design a customized treatment plan to manage your condition. 

What are the types of proteinuria?

Proteinuria is classified into categories based on the reason for the protein loss and how often it happens.

• Persistent proteinuria: high levels of protein in the urine all the time, most often seen in people with kidney disease
• Transient proteinuria: infrequent high levels of protein in the urine due to an acute cause such as a fever or stress
• Orthostatic proteinuria: very rare, increase in protein levels in urine when a sample is taken while you’re lying down

Transient proteinuria is the most common and usually resolves on its own without treatment. Orthostatic proteinuria also resolves without the need for treatment.

How do I know if I have proteinuria?

You may not experience any symptoms that indicate you have high levels of protein in your urine. The only way to know is through a urine test. However, some people with proteinuria experience swelling in the abdomen, legs, or face, especially if they’re losing large amounts of protein.

How is proteinuria managed?

Most forms of proteinuria resolve on their own without the need for treatment. However, if you have persistent proteinuria, you may require treatment aimed at preserving your kidney function.

If your persistent proteinuria has not yet affected kidney function, the team at Houston Kidney Specialists Center may prescribe blood pressure medication to help keep your kidneys healthy.

However, if it appears that your proteinuria is related to a decrease in kidney function, then the underlying cause of your kidney disease is treated to help preserve kidney function and decrease the protein loss.

If you’ve been told you’re losing protein in your urine and have concerns about your kidney health, call Houston Kidney Specialists Center, or book an appointment online today.