BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuUrine protein dipstick testUrine protein; Albumin - urine; Urine albumin; Proteinuria; AlbuminuriaThe urine protein dipstick test measures the presence of all proteins, including albumin, in a urine sample.Albumin and protein can also be measured using a blood test. Blood testAlbumin is a protein made by the liver. A serum albumin test measures the amount of this protein in the clear liquid portion of the blood. Albumin c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How the Test is Performed After you provide a urine sample, it is tested. The health care provider uses a dipstick made with a color-sensitive pad. The color on the dipstick tells the provider the level of protein in your urine.If needed, your provider may ask you to collect your urine at home over 24 hours. Your provider will tell you how to do this. Follow instructions exactly so that the results are accurate.Collect your urine at home over 24 hour24-hour urine protein measures the amount of protein released in urine over a 24-hour period.Read Article Now Book Mark Article How to Prepare for the Test Different medicines can change the result of this test. Before the test, tell your provider which medicines you are taking. DO NOT stop taking any medicine before talking to your provider.The following may also interfere with test results:Dehydration DehydrationDehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it needs. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Dye (contrast media) if you have a radiology scan within 3 days before the urine test Fluid from the vagina that gets into the urine Strenuous exercise Urinary tract infection How the Test Will FeelThe test only involves normal urination. There is no discomfort. Why the Test is Performed This test is most often done when your provider suspects you have kidney disease. It may also be used as a screening test for kidney disease, for example in people with diabetes.Although small amounts of protein are normally in urine, a routine dipstick test may not detect them. A urine microalbumin test can be performed to detect small amounts of albumin in the urine that may not be detected on dipstick testing. If the kidney is diseased, proteins may be detected on a dipstick test, even if blood protein levels are normal. Normal Results For a random urine sample, normal values are 0 to 14 mg/dL.For a 24-hour urine collection, the normal value is less than 80 mg per 24 hours.The examples above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results. What Abnormal Results Mean Larger amounts of protein in the urine may be due to:Heart failure Kidney problems, such as kidney damage, diabetic kidney disease, and kidney cysts Kidney damageGlomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease in which the part of your kidneys that helps filter waste and fluids from the blood is damaged....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diabetic kidney diseaseKidney disease or kidney damage often occurs over time in people with diabetes. This type of kidney disease is called diabetic nephropathy.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney cystsPolycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a kidney disorder passed down through families. In this disease, many cysts form in the kidneys, causing them to ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Loss of body fluids (dehydration) Multiple myeloma Problems during pregnancy, such as seizures due to eclampsia or high blood pressure caused by preeclampsia EclampsiaEclampsia is the new onset of seizures or coma in a pregnant woman with preeclampsia. These seizures are not related to an existing brain condition....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article PreeclampsiaPreeclampsia is high blood pressure and signs of liver or kidney damage that occur in women after the 20th week of pregnancy. While rare, preeclamps...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urinary tract problems, such as a bladder tumor or infection Risks There are no risks with this test.Open ReferencesReferencesKrishnan A, Levin A. Laboratory assessment of kidney disease: glomerular filtration rate, urinalysis, and proteinuria. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 23.Lamb EJ, Jones GRD. Kidney function tests. In: Rifai N, ed. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 7th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2023:chap 34.AllVideoImagesTogWhite nail syndrome - illustration White nail syndrome may also be called leukonychia. Leukonychia can occur with arsenic poisoning, heart disease, renal failure, pneumonia, or hypoalbuminemia.White nail syndromeillustrationProtein urine test - illustration Urine is usually tested for protein when kidney disease is suspected.Protein urine testillustrationWhite nail syndrome - illustration White nail syndrome may also be called leukonychia. Leukonychia can occur with arsenic poisoning, heart disease, renal failure, pneumonia, or hypoalbuminemia.White nail syndromeillustrationProtein urine test - illustration Urine is usually tested for protein when kidney disease is suspected.Protein urine testillustrationA Closer Look Kidney stones(In-Depth) Tests for Urine protein dipstick test Urine protein dipstick testUrinalysisKetones urine testLeukocyte esterase urine testRelated Information Diabetes and kidney disease(Condition)Glomerulonephritis(Condition)Anti-glomerular basement membrane disease(Condition)Multiple myeloma(Condition)Polycystic kidney disease(Condition)Acute nephritic syndrome(Condition)Eclampsia(Condition)Hemolytic-uremic syndrome(Condition)Interstitial nephritis(Condition)Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis(Condition) Review Date: 7/19/2021 Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Urine protein dipstick testUrine protein; Albumin - urine; Urine albumin; Proteinuria; AlbuminuriaThe urine protein dipstick test measures the presence of all proteins, including albumin, in a urine sample.Albumin and protein can also be measured using a blood test. Blood testAlbumin is a protein made by the liver. A serum albumin test measures the amount of this protein in the clear liquid portion of the blood. Albumin c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How the Test is Performed After you provide a urine sample, it is tested. The health care provider uses a dipstick made with a color-sensitive pad. The color on the dipstick tells the provider the level of protein in your urine.If needed, your provider may ask you to collect your urine at home over 24 hours. Your provider will tell you how to do this. Follow instructions exactly so that the results are accurate.Collect your urine at home over 24 hour24-hour urine protein measures the amount of protein released in urine over a 24-hour period.Read Article Now Book Mark Article How to Prepare for the Test Different medicines can change the result of this test. Before the test, tell your provider which medicines you are taking. DO NOT stop taking any medicine before talking to your provider.The following may also interfere with test results:Dehydration DehydrationDehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it needs. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Dye (contrast media) if you have a radiology scan within 3 days before the urine test Fluid from the vagina that gets into the urine Strenuous exercise Urinary tract infection How the Test Will FeelThe test only involves normal urination. There is no discomfort. Why the Test is Performed This test is most often done when your provider suspects you have kidney disease. It may also be used as a screening test for kidney disease, for example in people with diabetes.Although small amounts of protein are normally in urine, a routine dipstick test may not detect them. A urine microalbumin test can be performed to detect small amounts of albumin in the urine that may not be detected on dipstick testing. If the kidney is diseased, proteins may be detected on a dipstick test, even if blood protein levels are normal. Normal Results For a random urine sample, normal values are 0 to 14 mg/dL.For a 24-hour urine collection, the normal value is less than 80 mg per 24 hours.The examples above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results. What Abnormal Results Mean Larger amounts of protein in the urine may be due to:Heart failure Kidney problems, such as kidney damage, diabetic kidney disease, and kidney cysts Kidney damageGlomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease in which the part of your kidneys that helps filter waste and fluids from the blood is damaged....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diabetic kidney diseaseKidney disease or kidney damage often occurs over time in people with diabetes. This type of kidney disease is called diabetic nephropathy.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney cystsPolycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a kidney disorder passed down through families. In this disease, many cysts form in the kidneys, causing them to ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Loss of body fluids (dehydration) Multiple myeloma Problems during pregnancy, such as seizures due to eclampsia or high blood pressure caused by preeclampsia EclampsiaEclampsia is the new onset of seizures or coma in a pregnant woman with preeclampsia. These seizures are not related to an existing brain condition....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article PreeclampsiaPreeclampsia is high blood pressure and signs of liver or kidney damage that occur in women after the 20th week of pregnancy. While rare, preeclamps...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urinary tract problems, such as a bladder tumor or infection Risks There are no risks with this test.Open ReferencesReferencesKrishnan A, Levin A. Laboratory assessment of kidney disease: glomerular filtration rate, urinalysis, and proteinuria. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 23.Lamb EJ, Jones GRD. Kidney function tests. In: Rifai N, ed. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 7th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2023:chap 34.
