Elevated protein 24 hour urine WNL BUN/creatinine

My dad has been an insulin dependent diabetic since he was 19, he is now 71.  We've dealt w/ typical hyper/hypo glycemic episodes over the years, but he is just experiencing the more severe affects (i.e. dealt w/ open wound at bottom of foot for 18 months...resulted in bka).  24 hour urine was WNL last year, this year total protein was 963.00 --I want to be able to understand this and have started researching kidney structure and fxn---I stumbled across this site and thought I'd ask for a little help.  

What I need to understand----how can the total protein be so 'out of whack' and the Creatinine/BUN, electrolytes etc be (relatively) WNL?  I greatly appreciate any information.  Thank you.



Other lab results:

Urinalysis Results:

Urine Glucose, Bilirubin, ketones, nitrite and esterase = negative.
Specific Gravity, PH, urobilinogen =WNL
Urine blood = small
Urine protein = trace

Microalbumin 14.60 (0.20-1.90 mg/dL)
BUN 23 (6-20 mg/dL)
Creatinine 1.0 0.9  (1.3 mg/dL)
Creatinine Clearance 76.16  (70-130 ml/min)
Protein, Total (24 Hr) 963 (0-150 mg/24hr)

Electrolytes are all WNL---
Sodium  139
Potassuim  4.2
Chloride  104
Carbon Dioxide  28

[JDRF Volunteer SG]

There is a website that explains very well how protein can be elevated before any other kidney problems ever show up. The very best thing your dad can do is to make sure his glucose levels are kept as perfect as possible now to help protect his kidneys. If he is not already on an ace inhibitor medication, he should talk to his doctor about perhaps starting this kind of medicine in order to protect his kidneys, for tests have shown that this therapy does offer protections. We are not medical professionals on this site, but answer from our own research and experience. Check the website below for more info about kidney health in diabetic patients:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000494.htm