WHAT IS PROTEIN IN URINE

[Lucan]

WHAT IS PROTEIN IN URINE

[ABetaDad]

It is a simple test done by 'dipstick test' of a urine sample at a GP surgery that is usually used as a preliminary indicator of urinary tract infections. I have had dozens of them and only take a minute and pain free.

There is also a condition called Proteinuria but much rarer than protein in urine from an infection.

[Biglips]

water infection

[grumblinalong]

I had protein in my urine constantly in both my pregnancies - I had severe hyperemesis - and the hospital told me the protein indicated either that I was dehydrated/starving or had an infection (usually UTI). I have a vahue recollection of it being related to ketones too.

What were they testing your urine for?

[grumblinalong]

vague - sorry

[Horton]

I had protein in my urine when I was much younger, in my early to mid twenties. After loads of investigations, including a particularly enjoyable 24 hours when I had to carry a huge sloshing container of urine around and pee in it, it was concluded that there was nothing wrong with me and I just had leaky kidneys. So it might be nothing worth worrying about. Apparently it's quite common in younger people who are very active.

[MIFLAW]

Sometimes a symptom of alcohol abuse

[PortAndLemon]

In pregnancy it can also be a sign of preeclampsia (which is one reason they test for it all the time).

[Quattrocento]

I was told it was something to do with ketones - which sounded approximately like the body digesting itself (not very scientific emoticon)

[OrmIrian]

Ketones are produced by the breaking down of fat. You produce them when you are burning stored fat due to lack of food and/or huge physical exertion. Can happen in labour (always did to me and the mw always made me eat biscuits which I always threw up again ). I guess the loss of protein could happen at the same time.