What it is: A urine protein test checks for protein, particularly albumin, in a urine sample, either via dipstick or a more precise urine protein-to-creatinine ratio.
Why it's ordered: Ordered to screen for kidney disease, especially in people with diabetes or high blood pressure, or to evaluate swelling, foamy urine, or other symptoms suggesting kidney involvement.
What it detects: Healthy kidneys keep most protein in the blood rather than letting it pass into urine. Protein in the urine (proteinuria) suggests the kidney's filtering units aren't working properly, letting protein leak through.
Collection & prep: A urine sample collected in a clean container, or sometimes a 24-hour collection for a more precise quantitative measurement. No special preparation is typically required for a standard dipstick.
Results:
Positive – suggests kidney damage; dipstick becomes positive once protein exceeds roughly 300–500 mg/day
Negative – doesn't rule out smaller amounts of protein loss (microalbuminuria), which the standard dipstick isn't sensitive enough to detect
Possible complications of kidney damage: Ongoing significant proteinuria is associated with progressive kidney disease; positive results are usually followed by a more precise urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio and blood kidney function tests to assess severity.
Statements made in the Clinical Manual have not been evaluated by the FDA. The products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
