Protein in urine FAQ

You don't need any special preparations to test for protein in urine. If your provider has ordered a 24-hour urine sample, you will be given a special container to collect your urine and instructions on how to collect and store your samples.

A protein in urine test measures how much protein is in your urine (pee). Normally, you have very little protein in your urine. A large amount of protein in urine (proteinuria) may mean you have a kidney problem . Your kidneys are organs that filter extra water and waste out of your blood to make urine.

You will need to give a urine sample for the test. A health care professional may give you a cleansing wipe, a small container, and instructions for how to use the "clean catch" method to collect your urine sample. It's important to follow these instructions so that germs from your skin don't get into the sample:

There is no known risk to having a urinalysis or a protein in urine test.

At-home test kits that check for protein in urine tests are available without a prescription. The kits usually include dipsticks and instructions for how to collect and test your urine sample. At-home urine tests are easy to do and provide accurate results as long as you carefully follow all instructions. Ask your provider which protein in urine test is best for you.

Your provider may order a protein in urine test as part of your routine checkup , to monitor a condition affecting your kidneys, or if you have symptoms of kidney disease. With some types of kidney disease, such as chronic kidney disease , you may not have symptoms until the later stages of the disease. These symptoms may include:

A protein in urine test is often part of a urinalysis , which may include a visual check of your urine (pee) sample, tests for certain chemicals, and an examination under a microscope to look for certain types of cells. A urinalysis is used to check your general health, including the health of your urinary tract (which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra). This test may also be used to diagnose or monitor kidney disease and other health problems.

If your result is negative , your urine did not contain too much protein when you were tested.

Proteinuria is an unusually high amount of protein in your pee (urine). The condition is often a sign of kidney disease. Your kidneys are filters that don't usually let a lot of protein pass through. When kidney disease damages them, proteins such as albumin may leak from your blood into your pee. You can also have proteinuria when your body makes too much protein. Kidney disease often has no early symptoms. Protein in your pee might be one of the first signs. Your doctor may spot proteinuria on a urine test during a routine physical. Normal values with a random urine sample range from 0 to 14 mg/dL, and for a 24-hour urine collection values less than 80 mg are considered normal.