Too Much Protein in Urine

Proteinuria is the medical term for the condition characterized by the presence of too much protein in urine. This condition is also known by the name of albuminuria. Proteins or amino acids are the building blocks of our body and take part in many vital biochemical processes besides protecting the body from harmful substances and microorganisms. A small amount of protein in the urine is not an alarming condition but a prolonged case of excess protein in urine can indicate kidney disorders.

Kidney is the main excretory organ that filters the waste products from blood and then expels them from the body through the urine. The protein molecules are generally too large to pass through the glomeruli (singular glomerulus) of the kidneys. Therefore, too much protein in urine means that there is a problem with the filtering system of our body. Here is a brief discussion about the important causes and the symptoms of too much protein in kidneys or urine.

Causes of Too Much Protein in Urine:
Proteinuria is often regarded as a sign that the glomeruli of the kidneys are affected by some disease or infection. Sometimes, diseases affecting the entire kidney can also cause too much protein in the urine. Therefore, proteinuria can be a symptom of some major problems, like, chronic kidney diseases or kidney failure. Apart from kidney diseases, infection of the urinary tract too can cause this condition. Diseases, like, diabetes and hypertension are also related with too much protein in urine, as both can damage the filtering capacity of the kidneys. Some other serious diseases that can cause excess protein in urine are heart diseases and rheumatoid arthritis. Know more about

• Heart Disease
• Urinary Tract Infection
• Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sometimes, consuming too much protein or excess amino acids can contribute to the presence of excess protein in urine. This is because ingesting protein in more than the required amount is one of the most important causes of too much protein in blood, which in turn, is removed by the kidneys, as they are concerned with eliminating excess chemicals and minerals from our blood. Can too much protein kill you or is too much protein bad for your kidneys are some common concerns in this regard. So, one should know that, apart from causing excess protein in urine, a very high level of protein in diet can damage the kidneys and cause gout disease. These are some of the significant dangers of too much protein in diet.

Many women experience too much protein in urine during pregnancy. Physicians usually suggest urine examination during this stage, one of the most important purposes of which is, to check the level of protein in urine. If a woman experiences too much protein in urine in pregnancy, especially in the early stage, then it may indicate some problems with the kidneys, while in later pregnancy, it can be a symptom of preeclampsia. Temporarily, this condition may be associated with dehydration and side effects of certain medications. Some other temporary causes of protein in urine include fever, over exposure to cold or heat and too much exercising.

Symptoms of Too Much Protein in Urine:
In the early stage, proteinuria can be asymptomatic, i.e. there may not be definite symptoms to suspect the condition. A high concentration of protein may, however, cause foamy or bubbly urine. This happens mainly because of the fact that protein reacts with air. So, when urine is expelled from the body, it comes in contact with air and results in foamy urine. In the later stage, when a large amount of protein is removed from the blood, the condition can cause edema. This can cause swelling of the feet, hands and abdomen.

Proteinuria is often diagnosed with the help of a simple urine test, known as dipstick test. Physicians initially look for infection and if infection is found to be the cause for proteinuria, then antibiotics are prescribed. Proteinuria caused by infection can be cured with proper medical treatment. However, absence of infection would require further diagnostic tests, like, kidney function test, blood test, etc. to find out the exact causes of the condition. In such a situation, treatment for too much protein in urine would depend on the underlying health conditions. So, if there is too much protein in your urine consistently, then it is better to consult a physician to find out the accurate cause in order to avoid some major diseases, like, kidney damage or renal failure. Hope this article may have answered some common queries regarding presence of excess protein in urine and also the too much protein risks.