What causes protien in the urine?

[MSKshelly]

What causes protein in the urine?  And if it is consistantly and a pretty high amount is it significant,when you are not pregnant?

Thanks in advance for any info.!

Shelly

[vivianwong]

Hi Shelly. Yes it is significant. Do you also have microscopic RBC? How is your blood pressure? You will need a 24 hour urine collection first to detect exactly how much protein in there. Pls see your doctor asap.

[MSKshelly]

I have miscroscopic RBC and sometimes gross hematuria. I am also having a lot of pain but have off and on for several years struggle with the kidney pain, and ahve been thorugh various test. I have not checked my blood pressure but will!~ I actually have told my URO several times about the protein but he seems unconcerned????
I have been researching  though and read that Septra can cause protein in your urine, however I am not sure it should cause 100+. And if it is I am wondering if it is damaging my kidneys?

I am trying to test at different times to see if there is a difference like, first am before I take my Septra!  I live with a chronic infection, MSK, with mulitrenal calculi & nephrocalcinosis.  We did an IVP and a cysto scope two weeks ago, and supposedly my renal function was fine, no bladder tumors. How ever I noticed on my blood test that my Creatine went from always being .7 to being 1 and Bun had always been 8 and is up to 12.  My GFR rating was 63.4%..., I ask my URO and he said that those numbers are still normal?  I see my URO next week and am keeping a chart of my dipstick tests showing protein levels, blood, trace WBC. I will add the blood pressure to that and dit may help!  I also have an online pain diary that he can sign on and check at all times!
I am wondering it I need to see a nephrologist!  my URO is very good to me I also have interstitial cystitis, so they know me well.  I have learned to do alot of my care on my own etc.  I don't want to offend him however, but am concerned about the long term preventive care of my kidneys!

Thanks for your post!
Shelly

[vivianwong]

Wow that's a lot of factors to take into consideration. I think your MSK explains your hematuria. Septra shouldn't cause more protein in urine. UTI could cause protein in urine, however, protein caused by UTI can usually be cleared off quickly with anitibiotics. If there's a high level of persistent protein in urine, that may due to damage to the filter mechanism of the kidney. I am very surprised that your URO didnt seem concerned... How did you find out about the protein? Was it by urinalysis dipsticks? They are not so accurate at detecting protein. If you are concerned, you can do a 24 hour urine collection.

I wouldn't estimate the kidney condition just by those figures in the kidney function blood test. The figures will remain in normal range until most of the kidney function is lost. The GFR is more reliable in predicting kidney function. Your GFR seems low to me. Your URO thinks it's normal?

Anyways, I hope your appointment goes well. Be assertive with your URO and tell him you are concerned. See a nephrologist if necessary.

[MSKshelly]

Thanks for your response!  I have medical urine dipsticks I use at home so that I can closely watch my infection issues.  To make sure the results were consistant I bought the same ones his office uses!  I was a little surprised at his reaction however I know him well enough that he basically doesn't want his patients to worry, even if he maybe watching something!  However I am a patient that likes to just know the facts, then I know better how to deal with the situation!  I actually had to ask him to do a cysto with all the blood to check for tumors or even Hunner's ulcers with my IC.  It had been three years since he had done one...,

I am really feeling like it may help me to see a nephrologist and will talk to him about it!

I have noticed that on the dipsticks I do not show protein on the first am... I am not sure if it is fasting that effects it or what!  I am keeping  a log!  I have Interstitial Cystitis so get up several times at night so by am I have gone a few times and had water to drink by my bed at night. )Hydrated kidneys hurt less!)  So that could be part of the issue as well!

Thanks again for your input!
Shelly

[vivianwong]

Hope it all goes well!