Always have protein in urine, blood pressure fine, no infection

[ActonBell]

I’m nearly 28 weeks and I keep getting measures of 2+ Protein on my urine. However blood pressure is normal, culture for infection came back negative and no history for me or in my family of preeclampsia.

Every couple of weeks I’m going to the hospital for them to repeat test and check blood pressure and they always say everything’s fine. This started at 24 weeks.

I’m using a midstream sample and drinking lots.

Does anyone know why this might be happening? Can preeclampsia be preceded by protein in urine for ages?

This is a high risk pregnancy because I had to have an emergency stitch and they have concerns about gestational diabetes so having a test tomorrow. Would really ease my mind if I could understand this protein thing.

Thanks!

Bump

Although your BP is OK, how is in the OK range?

Mine was at the higher end of OK for most of my pregnancy with DS2. I had protein and glucose in my urine consistently from about 28 weeks. I was in the hospital for GTT every three weeks.

At 37 weeks, it developed into full blown pre-eclampsia and I had bells palsy. I had DS by csection at 38 weeks. (I had the section because of a previous csection, not because of pre-eclampsia).

Sorry my advice would be rest as much as physically possible (I didn't!). Be vigilant with any head aches or flashes in your eyes (I had these for about a week before I got taken in) and get yourself checked out by the midwife or hospital. I self referred to the day unit in the hospital because I was in there so often!

Mmm I don’t want to worry you but I had protein in my urine and “ok” bp until 30 weeks when all of a sudden my bp was sky high and I had to be admitted until my babies were born. It’s good they’re keeping on top of things with checks x

I don’t think I can cope with cervical incompetence, possible gestational diabetes and preeclampsia!!! Hopefully things won’t develop.

At least they’re keeping an eye on me I suppose.

BP has been pretty consistently around 120/80 throughout pregnancy which is a little high for me (my BP is naturally low) but seems normal for pregnancy I think?

Have they ever done bloods to look at your kidney function? Unexplained and recurrent proteinuria can be a sign of kidney disease, always worth getting checked out🙂

Definitely keep an eye on it. I went for monitoring from 30 weeks twice a week due to reduced movement and ended up being rushed in at 38 weeks with pre eclampsia and been told I'd been a ticking time bomb for weeks was the midwifes wording. They also found at my 37 week scan baby had stopped growing at 32 weeks but nothing was done even though I begged to be induced or have c section. They only booked me for an induction at 39 weeks.

Any concerns voice them over and over until you have the re assurance you need. I had hyperemesis and pre eclampsia was one of the risks. I had my baby 4 days before first big lockdown in March 2020 so less staff so may have been missed.

I'm pregnant again now and will definitely be voicing my concerns. I had no idea what to expect as a ftm so just went along with their advice that it was nothing.

Try not to stress too much but if your not happy at any point don't leave until yourr happy and a plan is put in place.

Waiting on GTT results now. We have a home blood pressure monitor and I check each day and it’s always fine.

I also bought some urine test strips like the midwives use out of curiosity and they don’t show any protein when I test at home! Obviously not going to self-diagnose as I’m not a professional and hospital has much better equipment as they use a machine to do it but I’m slightly more confused than I was.

@JumperooSue - no they haven’t looked at that. I’ll have to see how it goes and maybe push for a blood test if this continues.

I’m back! You were all so helpful a while ago so I’m hoping folks can help again.

So the protein in urine thing has continued to be an issue for most of the pregnancy. I’ve also developed late onset gestational diabetes for which I’m now on insulin. I have one week to go until induction (!!!) and had to go to MAU today for a check. Protein in urine again and now they’ve rung me to say the lab has had a look and they want me to come in for a blood test tomorrow.

Does anyone know what the blood test is looking for? I will ask tomorrow but it would set my mind at ease if I had a bit more info.

I had protein in my urine for weeks and normal blood pressure and it turned out I had pre eclampsia. I had absolutely no symptoms at all it was a blood test that confirmed I had pre eclampsia. I imagine this would be why they are doing a blood test on you. I will add though its extremely rare to have PE and no symptoms. All the staff involved in my birth were pretty surprised by it and said its not normally something they see so fingers crossed for you that you don't have it.

Thanks @BlackCatTabbyCat That’s really interesting.

I feel like there needs to be some award (or at the very least a badge) for ‘most pregnancy complications’. I know that we are actually incredibly, incredibly lucky to have got this far and that others have to go through extremely distressing situations. At the same time between my extreme sickness, blood clotting issues, emergency cervical stitch, multiple growth scans and gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia too would really take the biscuit!

Part of me hopes it’s a storm in a tea cup but another part just wants them to say enough is enough and get baby out. I’m 37 weeks tomorrow so at least I’ve made it to (early) term.

@ActonBell

I’m back! You were all so helpful a while ago so I’m hoping folks can help again.

So the protein in urine thing has continued to be an issue for most of the pregnancy. I’ve also developed late onset gestational diabetes for which I’m now on insulin. I have one week to go until induction (!!!) and had to go to MAU today for a check. Protein in urine again and now they’ve rung me to say the lab has had a look and they want me to come in for a blood test tomorrow.

Does anyone know what the blood test is looking for? I will ask tomorrow but it would set my mind at ease if I had a bit more info.

I spoke to my midwife on Friday about this as they said they are going to monitor me for this exact reason of protein in my urine constantly etc like you. They said if I get protein in my urine and bp is raised the will do a blood test. They do a blood test as it will flag up pre eclampsia even if you havent got classic symptoms or keep having the protein and bp. There are certain markers they look for to do with blood pressure etc. She said in my last pregnancy I clearly had pre eclampsia but for some reason it took weeks of having little bits of protein in my urine and no other symptoms before it suddenly hit with the severe headache and pain in ribs etc and sky high bp. Be prepared that depending on the blood results they may call you in straight away or keep you in depending how long the results take and induce you. Not to worry you but to be prepared. Due my pre eclampsia hitting and being rushed in, i had no hospital bag or anything with me as we just jumped in the car and went to the hospital so i got induced within like 15mins of getting there and my husband had to rush home to get everything.

How many ++s of protein are you getting if you dont mind me asking and your bp readings?

@abbs1 - thank you. Protein has varied between 1+ and 3+ I’ve only had a handful of times in the whole pregnancy when it hasn’t been there.
The highest BP has got is 134/85 but that was on one day when I was very stressed - had actually been crying at the midwife because everything was getting too much! BP is normally fairly consistent at high 120s over 80s, so never enough for them to be concerned.

[quote ActonBell]@abbs1 - thank you. Protein has varied between 1+ and 3+ I’ve only had a handful of times in the whole pregnancy when it hasn’t been there.
The highest BP has got is 134/85 but that was on one day when I was very stressed - had actually been crying at the midwife because everything was getting too much! BP is normally fairly consistent at high 120s over 80s, so never enough for them to be concerned.[/quote]
Oh bless you. I'd be stressed too hun. 3+ of protein is quite a bit so that could be why they want to do bloods to see whats going on. Your BP doesnt sound too different to what I had through most of my pregnancy until it sky rocketed so thats good. When i rushed into hospital it was 196/96 or something.
If you're not happy with results tomorrow definitely get second opinion. In my last pregnancy I didnt really question anything as i was FTM so just trusted what i was told. This time I'm questioning everything and getting 2nd opinions until I feel happy with the plan and my care.

Let me know how it all goes tomorrow. I hope everything goes ok and no more complications for you and baby. x

Well, I’m a puzzle apparently. The lab test yesterday gave a result of 37 when they look for less than 30. I’m not sure what this refers to. So, they’ve taken blood and they’re going to ring me with the results.
Blood pressure still normal today.
They seem keen on monitoring me quite closely and have said I may need to go back for repeat bloods in a couple of days. But it also seems like a bit of a mystery.

@ActonBell

Well, I’m a puzzle apparently. The lab test yesterday gave a result of 37 when they look for less than 30. I’m not sure what this refers to. So, they’ve taken blood and they’re going to ring me with the results. Blood pressure still normal today. They seem keen on monitoring me quite closely and have said I may need to go back for repeat bloods in a couple of days. But it also seems like a bit of a mystery.

That is very strange. Did you ask if you can be induced now instead of waiting another week to keep you and baby safe instead of them keep running tests every few days?

@abbs1 - I did raise that and they seemed to take it seriously. I did feel listened to. They want to see what the blood test shows and then have another conversation so I’m going to really push at that point.

[quote ActonBell]@abbs1 - I did raise that and they seemed to take it seriously. I did feel listened to. They want to see what the blood test shows and then have another conversation so I’m going to really push at that point.[/quote]
Oh I'm glad they took you seriously and you felt listened to. I hope all goes well and you have youre little one in your arms very soon. x

Had a debrief. The blood test was the PLGF test and is apparently a very good test for predicting preeclampsia risk in the next 7 days. My result was normally. Usually they’d repeat in a week but they’re going to induce me then anyway so we’re sticking to that plan unless anything else happens in the meantime!

@ActonBell

Had a debrief. The blood test was the PLGF test and is apparently a very good test for predicting preeclampsia risk in the next 7 days. My result was normally. Usually they’d repeat in a week but they’re going to induce me then anyway so we’re sticking to that plan unless anything else happens in the meantime!

Oh thats good news. I hope you feel reassured by that. I'm sure you'll keep a close eye on your symptoms in the meantime. Your so close now! I cant wait my baby to get here. Still around 12-14 weeks for me.