What’s a urine protein (albumin) check?
It’s a check that appears for the presence of albumin in your urine. Albumin is a sort of protein that’s usually discovered within the blood. Your physique wants protein. It is a vital nutrient that helps construct muscle, restore tissue, and combat an infection. However protein ought to be in your blood, not your urine.
How is a urine check achieved?
A easy urine check might be achieved in your physician’s workplace. You may be requested to pee right into a clear cup known as a “specimen cup.” Solely a small quantity of your urine is required (about two tablespoons) to do the check. A number of the urine is examined straight away with a dipstick — a skinny, plastic strip that’s positioned within the urine. The remaining is examined beneath a microscope.
What’s mistaken with having albumin (protein) in my urine?
One of many most important jobs of your kidneys is to filter your blood. When your kidneys are wholesome, they preserve essential issues your physique wants inside your blood, like protein. Additionally they take away issues your physique doesn’t want, like waste merchandise and further water.
In case your kidneys are broken, protein can “leak” out of the kidneys into your urine. Having protein in your urine known as “albuminuria” or “proteinuria.”
If I’ve albuminuria, does it imply I’ve kidney illness?
It could be an early signal of kidney illness, however your physician will test you once more to ensure albuminuria will not be attributable to one thing else, like not consuming sufficient water. In case your physician suspects that you’ve kidney illness, the urine check for albumin might be repeated. Three constructive outcomes over three months or extra is an indication of kidney illness.
Additionally, you will be given a easy blood check to estimate GFR. GFR stands for glomerular filtration charge. Your GFR quantity tells you the way nicely your kidneys are working.
You may additionally be given:
How typically do I must have a check for albuminuria (proteinuria)? – “protein in urine symptoms”
People who find themselves at elevated threat for kidney illness ought to have this check as a part of routine checkups by a healthcare supplier. These at elevated threat embody:
If I’ve albuminuria, will I would like remedy?
If kidney illness is confirmed, your healthcare supplier will create a remedy plan for you. You may additionally be requested to see a particular kidney physician known as a nephrologist. Your remedy could embody:
What are the signs of kidney illness?
Most individuals with kidney illness wouldn’t have signs until the illness could be very superior. Nonetheless, you might really feel:
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