What You Should Know About Proteinuria

What is proteinuria?

• Proteinuria means you have protein in your urine.
• The kidneys act as filters and keep protein in your body. Very little or no protein normally appears in the urine.
• Protein in the urine may be an early sign that the kidney’s filters have been damaged by disease, allowing protein to leak into the urine.

How is proteinuria tested?

A simple urine test can be done in your doctor’s office to detect protein in your urine.

Does proteinuria mean I have kidney disease?

• It may be an early sign of kidney disease, but your doctor will check you again to make sure proteinuria was not caused by something else like not drinking enough water.
• If your doctor suspects that you have kidney disease, other tests will be done including:
  • checking your blood pressure
  • checking your kidney function by a simple blood test to estimate your glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
• An ultrasound exam of the kidneys.

How often do I need to have a test for proteinuria?

People who are at increased risk for developing kidney disease should have this test as part of routine checkups by the doctor. Those at increased risk include:

• people with diabetes
• people with high blood pressure
• people with a family history of kidney disease
• people who are older
• certain ethnic groups including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans and American Indians.

If I have proteinuria, will I need treatment?

• If proteinuria is confirmed, your doctor will do other tests and examinations to pinpoint the cause.
• Your doctor may send you to a special kidney doctor who will help to develop your treatment plan.
• Your treatment may include:
  • medications
  • changes in your diet
  • lifestyle changes such as losing excess weight, exercising and stopping smoking.

What are the symptoms of kidney disease?

• swelling
• shortness of breath
• needing to urinate more often
• hiccups
• fatigue
• trouble sleeping
• nausea and vomiting
• dry, itchy skin.

For more information:

• Speak to your doctor.
• Call AFREKID

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