WHAT IS PROTEIN IN URINE

[Lucan]

WHAT IS PROTEIN IN URINE

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.

water infection

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?

vague - sorry

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.

Sometimes a symptom of alcohol abuse

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

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

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.