Protein Total Urine Test, 24-Hour with Creatinine
A Protein Total Urine Test, 24-Hour with Creatinine is used to evaluate and monitor kidney function, and to detect kidney damage.
Description
A urine total protein test is conducted to detect excess protein in the urine. This test helps determine an individual's kidney functioning. A urine total protein test is ordered either as a part of a regular physical check-up or to determine the type of disease or condition affecting the kidney. At times, urine total protein is also a follow-up test to a previous total protein urine test which was positive.
When higher-than-normal amounts of protein are in the urine, it’s called proteinuria. This is often a sign of kidney damage and disease.
The test doesn’t show what kinds of protein are in the urine. To determine this, your doctor may also order tests such as a serum and urine protein electrophoresis. The test also doesn’t show the cause of the protein loss.
A 24-hour urine protein test is given if you have symptoms of glomerulonephritis or nephrotic syndrome. Other types of kidney disease or other conditions that affect the kidneys are also sufficient reasons to order the test, including:
- uncontrolled diabetes
- high blood pressure
- lupus
- urinary tract infection
This test also includes Creatinine.
Creatinine is a normal waste product produced by muscle metabolism. When your kidneys are functioning normally, they filter creatinine and other waste products out of your blood and send them out of the body through urine.
