Protein in urine, medically known as proteinuria, means there is an abnormal amount of protein present in the urine. Normally, urine contains very little protein because healthy kidneys filter waste but retain essential proteins in the blood. When kidneys are damaged or not functioning properly, proteins such as albumin can leak into the urine
. Proteinuria can be a sign of kidney problems or kidney disease, as the kidneys' filtering units (glomeruli) fail to prevent protein from passing into urine
. It may also indicate other health issues such as urinary tract infections, heart disease, lupus, or preeclampsia in pregnancy
. Some causes of proteinuria include:
- Kidney diseases like glomerulonephritis or diabetic kidney disease
- High blood pressure or diabetes damaging kidneys
- Temporary conditions such as dehydration, fever, vigorous exercise, or stress
- Urinary tract infections or inflammation
Symptoms of proteinuria are often absent early on but may include frothy or foamy urine, swelling in hands, feet, or face, and other signs as kidney damage progresses
. Detection is typically through urine tests, such as dipstick tests or urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), which measure protein levels to assess kidney health
. In summary, protein in urine usually signals that the kidneys are not filtering properly and may indicate kidney damage or other medical conditions requiring further evaluation and management
