✅ Proteinuria, what is it in men

Many patients who are encountering diseases of the kidneys and urinary system for the first time are interested in what is the normal level of protein in a man’s urine. Laboratory examination of a patient’s urine is very informative, and in most cases, allows an accurate diagnosis to be made.

A healthy person has no protein elements in his urine. If, after diagnosis, protein cells were detected in large quantities, the physician diagnoses the disease and prescribes appropriate therapy.

After the initial examination, to make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor prescribes the patient to submit urine for laboratory testing. Specialists study the discharge under a microscope under special conditions. If protein or other third-party elements were detected in the sample, assumptions can be made about the development of a particular disease. Eg:

Sugar in urine is found in patients with diabetes at different stages;
A high concentration of leukocytes signals the progression of the inflammatory process in the body;
Protein in a man’s urine means the presence of pathological kidney diseases;
In case of infectious diseases and hematuria, the patient has increased leukocytes in the urine.

Proteinuria in men: types, causes, methods of elimination

Laboratory tests of urine are a common and informative type of diagnosis necessary for diagnosing many diseases. High protein in urine in men is a sign of a pathological process that requires additional tests to establish an accurate diagnosis and determine treatment tactics.

Normal level of protein in urine, reasons for increase

In the kidneys, the blood is filtered and some of it, which the body considers unnecessary, leaves the body in the urine. The filter system does not allow protein molecules to pass through due to their large size, so most of them are reabsorbed (reabsorbed). Some small protein molecules may end up in urine, but normally this number does not exceed 0.033 g/l.

Protein may be present in a daily urine test, in single portions that are given for a general clinical study; it is not detected in healthy men.

Interpretation of a general urine test in adults

Deciphering requires the necessary medical qualifications, so experts do not recommend interpreting the results independently. This laboratory test is highly informative, easy to carry out and is considered fundamental in the diagnosis of any disease.

Parameters included in the general urine test:

organoleptic indicators (smell, color, volume, foaminess, transparency);
physicochemical values (acidity, density);
biochemical indicators (sugar, protein, ketone bodies, urobilin);
microscopic examination of sediment (leukocytes, erythrocytes, epithelial cells, casts, bacteria, salt crystals, fungi).

Only a doctor can evaluate the results obtained during the study and take into account the characteristics of the patient’s condition.

So, the normal indicators are:

color – straw yellow;
smell – mild;
absolute transparency;
pH – from 4 to 7;
density - 1012 g/l - 1022 g/l;
protein volume – no more than 0.033 g/l;
glucose – no more than 0.8 mmol/l;
bilirubin – absence;
ketone bodies – absent;
urobilinogen - 5-10 mg/l;
hemoglobin – absence;
red blood cells - single (in men), no more than 3 (in women);
leukocytes – no more than 6 (in women), no more than 3 (in men);
epithelial cells – no more than 10;
cylinders - single hyaline or absent;
salt – absence;
bacteria, fungi, parasites – absent.

Why might it be necessary to determine protein in urine?

Non-pathological causes

In some cases, the appearance of a small amount of protein in the urine is not associated with pathology. The indicators are slightly exceeded, red blood cells are not detected in urine, the level of leukocytes is within normal limits. Such proteinuria is called functional and does not require specific therapeutic measures.

Similar conditions are observed in the following cases:

significant physical activity (protein is often increased in men who are professionally involved in sports);
adolescents often exhibit orthostatic proteinuria associated with prolonged standing;
high emotional stress, constant or severe stress;
if the human body has been subjected to hypothermia, then the analysis may detect a small amount of protein not exceeding the permissible values.

Types of pathological proteinuria

If proteinuria indicates kidney pathology, then it is called renal. The disease may affect the glomerular-tubular system of the kidneys, a membrane that performs a filtering function.

Most often, significant protein excretion in the urine indicates glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, malignant neoplasms, and polycystic disease.

Prerenal proteinuria indicates various diseases:

multiple myeloma;
leukemia;
large foci of necrosis;
diabetes;
hypertonic disease;
acute infectious diseases;
pathologies of the heart and blood vessels.

Prerenal proteinuria is determined under the influence of hemolytic toxins, drug poisoning, and transfusions of incompatible blood.

Postrenal proteinuria is a characteristic sign of diseases affecting the genitourinary system.

Symptoms

If the cause of protein detection in a man’s urine is kidney disease, the following symptoms may be observed:

pain in the lumbar region in the projection of the affected kidney (or both in the case of a bilateral pathological process);
high temperature, febrile symptoms;
dysuric disorders;
general malaise.

If a disease accompanied by proteinuria occurs in the genitourinary system and does not affect the kidneys, then the symptoms may be different, depending on the nature of the pathology.

Some ailments are easily identified due to the pronounced clinical picture, and sometimes, with hidden diseases, a high level of protein is the only indication of the pathological process. In such cases, timely diagnosis is important.

Determination methods

Protein in urine can be counted by exposing it to a thermal or chemical agent. At the same time, it coagulates and the urine becomes opaque. The degree of turbidity indicates the amount of protein.

First, mandatory high-quality urine samples are taken. These include a test using nitric acid, a test with sulfosalicylic acid and a dry diagnostic test (rapid test).

Determination of protein in urine

In the first case, urine is carefully added to the test tube with acid. Their volume must be the same; shaking and mixing is not allowed. As a result, a white ring will appear at the border of the two substances if there is protein in the urine.

Diagnostics

To make an accurate diagnosis of detected proteinuria, a number of laboratory and instrumental studies are carried out. A biochemical blood test is prescribed to study the level of creatinine, urea, acetone, the presence of salts and total protein. Urine is also examined in various ways depending on the patient’s current symptoms and medical history. The doctor may prescribe general or daily tests, the Rehberg test, and the Nechiporenko test. In addition, the organs of the genitourinary system and kidneys are examined using ultrasound.

Treatment methods

To eliminate the consequence (proteinuria), it is necessary to treat the cause. Therapy is prescribed depending on what disease caused the appearance of protein in the urine.

If proteinuria is the result of an inflammatory process in the renal parenchyma, treatment is carried out with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs, and medications are prescribed to improve blood supply and nutrition to the kidneys.

For diabetes mellitus, treatment is aimed at reducing sugar levels. In case of poisoning, it is necessary to detoxify the body. In all patients with identified proteinuria, the loss of protein in the urine must be replenished with a balanced diet high in protein.

How to lower the level?

The treatment course to eliminate this problem depends on the factors that provoked it. If an increased protein content in the urine is detected, specialized therapy is prescribed aimed at eliminating the underlying disease. Due to the fact that this condition has many causes, a comprehensive diagnosis is necessary. First of all, the urinary system is examined.

Most often, when there is a high protein content in the urine, experts prescribe the following medications:

antibiotics, the action of which should be aimed at eliminating a specific pathogen, previously determined using laboratory tests;
anti-inflammatory drugs;
medications that can lower blood pressure;
antihistamines;
cytostatics (if necessary);
glucocorticosteroids;
painkillers, if the patient experiences severe pain.

As a rule, after eliminating the underlying pathology that provoked the change in protein levels in the urine, this value is normalized.

What does increased protein in the urine indicate in men?

Protein is excreted in the urine in minute quantities and in a healthy person should not exceed normal levels. Healthy kidneys usually allow tiny amounts of protein to pass through, since this substance has rather large molecules that are not able to pass freely through the kidney tubules.

An increase in protein may indicate structural changes in the kidneys, but it may also be associated with a number of other diseases. A slight increase in indicators may also be observed in conditions not associated with diseases.

Diagnosis and norm of protein in urine in men

The normal level of protein in urine is 0.033 g/l

A urine test is performed to determine protein levels. In most cases, it is collected at home. In order for the indicators to be correct and adequate, you must follow all the rules for collecting this sample:

An important condition is cleanliness. It is necessary to use sterile containers, which are purchased at a pharmacy or obtained in a laboratory. If necessary, you can use a thoroughly boiled glass jar with a lid. The tag indicates the patient's information and the time of urine collection.
Before obtaining urine, it is necessary to perform a thorough toilet of the genitals. Men need to remember to wash the head of the penis.
A urine test does not require any special preparation, but, nevertheless, the day before it is not recommended to overeat, drink alcoholic beverages, or eat foods that are too fatty or aggressive in composition, which can cause a reaction in the kidneys and urinary system.
Recommendations also include reducing physical activity and avoiding emotional and psychological stress.

Norm and diagnosis

Under normal conditions, the permissible norm of protein in a man’s urine is 0.033 g/l.

To determine the level of protein in urine, you need to take a test. As a rule, they collect it themselves. For the result to be correct, the rules for collecting urine must be followed. One of the important conditions is sterility.

The container must be clean; it is recommended to purchase it at a pharmacy kiosk or obtain it from a laboratory. You are allowed to use a glass jar and lid that have been pre-treated in boiling water. It is necessary to stick a tag on the side of the container indicating the patient’s personal data and the time of urine collection.

Before collecting urine for analysis, you must thoroughly wash your genitals. No special preparation is required for the test, but before this procedure you should not drink alcohol, do not overeat, and avoid fatty and aggressive foods that can affect the functioning of the kidneys and organs of the ureteric system. It is recommended to reduce physical activity and avoid stressful situations. Morning urine is tested, because it can provide the most accurate information about the patient’s health.

Reasons for the increase

There are a number of reasons that can cause the presence of protein in the urine.

When increased protein is detected in the urine of men, this is not always an indicator of impaired renal function and some pathological processes occurring in them. Often a slight increase is part of the so-called physiological norm. Under normal conditions, the maximum threshold for protein in male urine is 0.033 g/l.

Causes not related to diseases that can cause an increase in indicators may include the following conditions:

Stress - severe one-time or systematically repeated. It can provoke a change in the normal functioning of all organs and systems of the human body.
Strong physical activity, including intense sports, hard work, hiking conditions and much more.
Hypothermia, to which the body reacts by exacerbating all reactions.
Transition period and puberty. Typically, adolescents have slightly elevated levels of protein in their urine.
A slight physiological proteinuria appears against the background of the predominance of protein foods in a man’s menu. Excessive amounts of meat may change the numbers slightly, but will rarely produce too high numbers.

The main reasons for a sharp increase in protein levels in the urine are the following pathologies and diseases:

Pyelonephritis.
Glomerulonephritis.
Nephrosis.
Damage to the renal structure (pelvis, calyces or glomeruli).
Inflammation of the kidney parenchyma.
Kidney tuberculosis.
Renal hypertension.
Kidney damage caused by metabolic disorders, urolithiasis with an inflammatory process.
Diabetes.
Toxic damage to kidney tissue.
Bacterial infections.
Prostatitis.
Urethritis.

Other diseases affecting the functioning of the kidneys and genitourinary system of men. These may include diseases and conditions not directly related to kidney function: leukemia and other oncological diseases, the consequences of chemotherapy and radiation, allergic reactions, problems with the cardiovascular system, including heart attack, ischemia, hypertension, hemolytic anemia , injuries and muscle compression, burns, gangrene.

Symptoms and possible complications

Protein in urine in men most often signals kidney disease

In most cases, pathologically increased protein in the urine in men is accompanied by the following symptoms:

Constant weakness, feeling tired, fatigue.
Fever, chills, alternating hot and cold.
Nausea, retching.
Lack of appetite.

With a significant increase in protein levels in the urine, hypercalcemia is observed, that is, excess calcium in the body. In this condition, the patient suffers from dizziness and severe drowsiness, even apathy. At high levels of excess protein, the urine may acquire a milky white color.

Physiologically caused proteinuria rarely reaches high numbers and is a temporary condition that does not cause harm to health. It does not require treatment and goes away on its own.

Useful video - Protein in urine in children:

But a pathologically high level of protein can indicate the presence of very dangerous conditions and lead to dire consequences in the absence of timely correct treatment. It threatens with serious kidney pathologies up to their complete failure. A constant increase in indicators indicates an exacerbation of the diseases that caused it, for example, the active growth of a cancer tumor and the appearance of metastases, or the progression of cardiovascular pathology and other dangerous processes.

The presence of protein in the urine may also indicate diseases of the male reproductive system. If urethritis has bright external manifestations, then prostatitis, often leading to intimate disorders and complete impotence, in the initial stages can only manifest itself as an increased level of proteins in the urine. That is why, after diagnosis and exclusion of the role of the kidneys in this condition, it is necessary to undergo other examinations to determine the exact source of abnormalities.

Methods for normalizing protein levels in urine in men

Treatment for proteinuria depends on the cause of its occurrence.

When increased protein is detected in the urine of men, treatment of the disease is always specialized, that is, aimed at eliminating the underlying disease. Due to the fact that there are many causes for this condition, it is almost impossible to make an accurate list of all the necessary medications.

The most commonly prescribed medications are:

Antibiotics. They are selected selectively and individually, must fully meet the existing problem and be directed against a specific pathogen.
Anti-inflammatory drugs.
Medicines to lower blood pressure.
Antihistamines.
Cytostatic agents if necessary.
Glucocorticosteroid drugs.
Painkillers for pain.
Other medications as prescribed by a doctor.

Since the causes of pathologically high levels of protein in the urine are serious diseases, self-medication is excluded. The patient is prescribed bed rest, rest, a special diet with limited consumption of protein and spicy, salty and sour foods, the amount of fluid consumed, and a complete abstinence from salt.

Preference should be given to light, easily digestible foods, steamed, moderately chopped or pureed, baked pumpkin, beets in various forms, dried fruits, vitamin decoctions and drinks in limited quantities, for example, drinking rose hips, fresh or dried. It is necessary to control the amount of urine excreted and blood pressure.

In severe conditions, emergency hospitalization is recommended for the patient.

Those conditions that are accompanied by physiological increases in protein levels do not require treatment. The level returns to normal when the cause disappears, that is, after resting from physical stress and relieving stress. Only prolonged emotional overload requires taking sedatives prescribed by a doctor, while the level of proteins in the urine returns to normal without treatment.

Causes of increased protein content in male urine

Protein in urine plays the role of building material for every cell of our body. Protein molecules participate every second in all intraorganic processes. Protein molecules are usually large, so they cannot pass through the kidney filter, so only a small amount of protein (less than 1%) can be excreted in the urine. But with the development of any structural renal disorders, protein in the urine of men can be found in much larger quantities. Proteinuria is then diagnosed.

Physiological norm of protein

Normally, the protein in urine should not go beyond 0.3 g. This is the upper threshold, because in general there is much less protein. Just some circumstances lead to an increase in protein molecules in the urine:

Stressful conditions;
Muscle strain;
Heavy physical activity.

This explains the fact that in male urine the level of protein is always slightly higher than in female urine. The reason for this is the professional activity and lifestyle of men.

If an increased content of protein molecules is detected in the urine, it is recommended to retake the test. Sometimes the protein enters the urine with sperm or with purulent masses from the genitourinary system.

A man can lose several milligrams (30-70) of protein in urine during the day. In addition to the above factors, the cause of physiological proteinuria can be severe hypothermia, adolescence, etc. Protein in the urine in men may also increase slightly due to excessive consumption of meat dishes and other foods containing large amounts of proteins. Although the protein content in this case will not be particularly high. Physiological proteinuria can also occur during intense training.

Pathological causes of increased protein molecules in urine

Typically, various inflammations in the genitourinary system contribute to an increase in protein. Such processes are often caused by functional disorders in the renal filtration system, which arise due to damage to the pelvis. But true proteinuria does not always develop as a result of such lesions. The causes of pathologically increased levels of protein in the urine are:

Bladder lesions of bacterial origin or various types of cystitis;
Pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis - these renal pathologies are always characterized by the release of proteins in the urine;
Renal lesions of toxic or metabolic origin;
Diabetes. With such a disease, the detection of protein in the urine helps to timely diagnose the pathology at the beginning of its development.

Protein may be released into the urine from the prostate or urethra, then false proteinuria is diagnosed. If a significant excess of the norm of proteins excreted in urine is detected, then the reasons should be sought in the impaired filtering activity of the kidneys, which occurs as a result of nephrosis, tuberculosis, renal hypertension or parenchyma, lesions of the pelvis, glomeruli or calyces.

Normally, a man's urine protein content should not exceed 0.3 g/l. If there is a persistent increase in protein levels, this indicates the presence of a pathological factor.

Proteinuria is not always a consequence of a urological pathological process; often the disease develops as a result of an infectious factor. If the protein excreted in the urine belongs to albumin, then the reason for its release may be:

All these factors relate to functionally determined proteinuria. The pathological form of the disease is always of renal origin. If the cause of proteinuria is nephropathy of diabetic origin, then the patient may also be concerned about high blood pressure. An increase in proteins in urine can also be caused by:

Heart attack;
Gangrenous processes in the extremities;
Hypertonic disease;
Hemolytic anemia;
Muscle injuries or illnesses;
Ischemic lesions;
Oncological processes;
Cardiovascular disorders;
Chemotherapy treatment;
Serious burn injuries, etc.

Each case requires the participation of a specialist to identify the true causes of proteinuria and select the appropriate treatment tactics.

How does proteinuria manifest?

An increased level of protein in the urine is usually accompanied by a whole group of symptoms:

Feverish state, chills;
Against the background of progressive anemia, men may constantly experience fatigue and general weakness;
Elevated proteins are accompanied by excess calcium, which can cause the patient to feel dizzy and drowsy;
If the protein content is significantly exceeded, the urine may acquire a white tint;
Nausea and vomiting syndrome;
Aching sensation or pain in the bones associated with large protein loss;
Lack of appetite;
Fatigue, etc.

Degrees of pathological increase in protein

A physiologically determined increase in protein molecules is considered a temporary phenomenon and is not of clinical interest from a diagnostic point of view, because it normalizes on its own after some time. Pathological proteinuria, which can have several degrees, is important:

A mild degree is characterized by the release of up to 1 g of protein per day. This is observed in the presence of urethritis, bladder inflammation, urolithiasis, renal polycystic disease, etc.;
With an average degree, daily protein excretion is about 1-3 g. Such indicators are typical for glomerulonephritis, pathology of the renal tubules, and incipient amyloidosis;
In severe cases, there is a daily release of proteins into the urine in an amount of more than 3.5 g. Such characteristics indicate the presence of lupus nephritis, severe glomerular lesions, Bright's glomerulonephritis and other connective tissue pathological conditions.

Treatment recommendations

If elevated levels of protein in the blood are detected, a thorough diagnostic examination is prescribed in order to identify the nature of the disorders and the cause of proteinuria. The main therapeutic direction is to eliminate the cause-and-effect factor that led to the increase in protein. Only properly administered therapy will help bring the indicators back to normal. Additionally, laboratory blood tests are carried out, and the man’s urine is studied in more detail. Such measures are necessary to exclude the physiological factor of protein increase.

Proteinuria is regarded by experts as a symptom complex, and not a separate pathology. Depending on the reasons, drugs like:

Anti-inflammatory drugs;
Antibiotics;
Glucocorticosteroids;
Cytostatic drugs;
Antihypertensive drugs;
Medicines that reduce blood clotting, etc.

The patient is first prescribed rest and bed rest, since in the presence of urological inflammation, the slightest hypothermia contributes to the chronicization of the pathological process. Sometimes it is necessary to include extracorporeal blood purification such as plasmapheresis or hemosorption in treatment.

An important point is nutrition, which requires adherence to a diet with limited will to 2 grams. It is advisable to exclude, and after treatment, consume meat and fish in limited quantities. It is recommended to monitor the volume of urine released during urination. They must match the amount drunk. In general, you should drink no more than one liter of liquid per day, which includes soup, tea and other drinks. It is useful to drink rosehip drink, blackcurrant or lemon juice.

During treatment, it is recommended to include rice dishes, dairy products, steamed fruit and vegetable dishes, pumpkin and beets, and dried fruits in the diet.

The main thing is not to trigger the pathology and not to prescribe pills on your own. As you can see, elevated proteins in male urine can be caused by serious and dangerous pathological processes. Only a specialist can identify the true root causes of proteinuria and take the correct therapeutic measures. It is important to follow preventive recommendations. If proteinuria is caused by hypertension, then it is important to take prescribed medications and control blood pressure. If the disease is diabetic, in addition to the necessary medications, you must follow a strict diet.

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Protein in urine in men: normal, causes of increase, symptoms and treatment methods

Analysis of urine for the presence of protein allows you to identify kidney pathologies. Based on the results of the study, the doctor identifies the disease and prescribes effective treatment. The normal level of protein in a man's urine is 0.14 g/liter. If this indicator is higher - up to a value of 0.33 g / liter, then they speak of a pathology, a sign of which is proteinuria. It comes in several stages - mild, severe and moderate. The result of the study can be influenced by many factors, so before the analysis it is necessary to avoid certain foods and medications. Let's look at what protein in the urine means in men, and what treatment is required against the background of high levels?

What to do if elevated protein is detected in the urine

Protein in the urine, or proteinuria, is an increased concentration of proteins (protein inclusions) in a urine test. Normally, protein components are found in all biological fluids of the body. If a general urine test reveals elevated levels, this means that kidney function is impaired. In the absence of pathologies, the amount of proteins in urine is 0.14 g/l. Proteinuria indicates inflammation of the renal tubular system or disruption of the glomerular filter.

When is a protein test ordered?
What tests detect protein in urine?
The norm of protein in urine in women, men and children
What does it mean if elevated protein is detected?
Physiological proteinuria
Possible kidney diseases
Extrarenal factors
Causes of increased protein in urine in pregnant women and women in labor
Additional Signs of High Protein Levels
Dangerous consequences of proteinuria
What to do if protein in urine test is elevated
How to give urine correctly so that the tests are reliable
Is a reduced content of protein inclusions dangerous?

Determination of protein in urine indicates a violation of the filtration function of the kidneys. Most often, proteinuria is temporary and therefore is not a pathological symptom. According to statistics, it is found in 17% of people of different age groups, but only 2% of them are diagnosed with serious illnesses.

What does increased protein in the urine indicate in men?

Protein molecules are characterized by a very small size, as a result of which they cannot pass through the renal corpuscles. In a healthy man, urine does not contain traces of protein even in minimal concentration. If the protein is detected, then this signals a serious impairment of kidney function. To establish the disease, additional diagnostic measures are required.

It is worth knowing: in medical practice, proteinuria is divided into true and false conditions. In the latter version, the results from the laboratory are not related to the disease, but to the characteristics of the patient’s lifestyle and diet. The norm of protein in urine in men is 0.3 to 1000 - in other words, up to 0.3 g of protein components per liter of biological fluid.

Protein in a man’s urine can be a consequence of physiological reasons - in this case, the picture normalizes over time on its own, or pathological conditions - adequate and timely treatment is required.

The increase in protein content is divided into three stages:

In mild cases, no more than one gram of protein is released per day. The reasons for increased protein in the urine in men may lie in diseases such as urethritis, inflammation in the bladder, etc.;
During the middle stage, they talk about the release of protein substances up to three grams per day. With this result, the initial stage of amyloidosis, a disease of the renal ducts, is suspected;
In the severe stage, the daily excretion is more than three grams. They talk about glomerular lesions, nephritis and other diseases that are associated with impaired renal function.

The acceptable level of protein in a man's urine is 0.14 g/liter. If the value is higher than this indicator, then the medical specialist must prescribe additional diagnostic measures to identify the disease that provoked this symptom.

Normal urine and degree of deviation

For a healthy adult man who leads a normal lifestyle, is not fond of sports and is not engaged in heavy types of physical labor, the optimal protein norm is considered to be its zero value or the detection of traces of the substance (0.033 g/l).

The level of proteins in a man’s urine can often change depending on his current age, lifestyle and diet, but deviations in this case are minor and do not threaten health.

Officially, protein excretion by the kidneys is allowed in the following quantities:

in the general analysis of the first morning urine no more than 0.033 grams per liter;
in the average portion of daily urine up to 0.01 grams per liter;
total loss in 24 hours ranges from 44–50 to 80–100 mg, with an average of 72 mg per day;
in boys under 16 years of age, the norm is up to 0.9 g/liter.

Proteinuria is said to occur when protein absorption in men exceeds 150 mg in 24 hours. But the doctor pays attention to even a slight excretion of protein (30 mg) and records it as the lower limit of microalbuminuria. The upper threshold for this condition is 300 mg.

If suddenly the protein content in the urine exceeds this limit or reaches 1 gram, a mild stage of proteinuria is diagnosed. Moderate excretion corresponds to values from 1 to 3 grams in daily urine. Analysis results containing information about losses of more than 3 grams of protein fractions in 24 hours indicate severe proteinuria. It is accompanied by impaired renal function and is life threatening.

On a note! The concept of “low protein” does not apply to urine tests and is not considered in medicine. Only a decrease in this substance in the blood, which develops precisely under the influence of proteinuria and other factors, is considered dangerous.

Reasons for the increase

Why does protein in urine increase in men? The etiology can be physiological, which does not pose a danger to the patient’s health, and pathological – it is associated with some disease that requires drug treatment. In the latter case, other tests are prescribed to provide a more complete picture.

Physiological pathogenesis of increased protein in urine:

Age. During adolescence, against the background of intensive growth, various changes occur in the body. As a rule, they do not pose a serious danger. With the end of puberty, the situation normalizes on its own.
Excessive physical activity - exhausting sports, long hikes, etc. In this situation, the increase is short-term, leveled out on its own within a few days.
Depressive state, neurosis, severe stress.
Overstrain of muscle tissue.
Alcohol abuse.
Severe hypothermia.
Intoxication of the body.

Important: against the background of increased protein in the tests and the man’s normal state of health, a repeat test is prescribed. It is necessary in order to exclude a false positive result associated with incorrect testing, for example, if sperm gets into the urine.

Some pathologies remain latent for a long time and do not manifest pronounced symptoms, which leads to a man visiting a doctor at an advanced stage of the pathological process. Often, in addition to protein molecules in the urine, the laboratory technician detects leukocytes and red blood cells.

A persistent and/or significant increase in protein structures in biological fluid is a signal of a disease. It can be localized directly in the male kidney, then they talk about the renal form of proteinuria or beyond it - prerenal or postrenal proteinuria is diagnosed.

The following diseases can increase protein in the urine:

Glomerulonephritis is an inflammatory process during which the renal membrane is transformed - its permeability increases;
Kidney cancer, polycystic disease, pyelonephritis;
Chronic prostatitis, urethritis, bacterial cystitis;
Diabetes mellitus of any type, pathologies of the cardiovascular system, arterial hypertension (persistent increase in blood pressure);
Infectious diseases, respiratory pathologies (flu);
Tumor neoplasms;
Hemorrhagic stroke;
Epilepsy.

The reasons may not be directly related to impaired kidney function, so an increase in protein in urine may indicate other pathological processes in systems and internal organs. This applies to myocardial infarction, myeloma, muscle injury, oncology, burns, the effects of radiation treatment and allergic reactions.

Symptoms and possible complications

When the protein concentration in the biological fluid increases slightly, symptoms are rarely present. Sometimes men complain of slight malaise and fatigue. There are no other signs of a pathological process in the body. A physiological increase in protein molecules has no clinical manifestations at all.

With a significant increase in protein substances, the following clinic is observed:

Dizziness.
Chills.
Feverish condition.
Sleep disturbance – most often drowsiness.
Weakness, apathy.
Unpleasant sensations in bones and joints.
Loss of appetite.
Chronic fatigue.
Nausea, and somewhat less commonly, vomiting.

For your information, each symptom indicates a particular disease, which allows the doctor to narrow the “search” and prescribe the necessary diagnostic methods for the patient.

As for complications, a physiological increase does not threaten a person in any way, since it is a variant of the norm. With a pathological increase in protein concentration, negative consequences are associated with the underlying cause. For example, if you have serious kidney problems, kidney failure may develop; hemorrhagic stroke threatens serious disruptions in the functioning of many organs and systems, including death.

Treatment methods

Therapy for proteinuria is aimed at eliminating the underlying disease. Only by eliminating the original source of the problem can laboratory test results be normalized. Since there are many pathologies that are accompanied by an increase in protein concentration in the urine, it is impossible to list the entire list of prescribed drugs. The patient can be treated with the following medications:

Antibacterial tablets are selected individually and must act on a specific pathogen in the male body;
Anti-inflammatory agents (stop inflammatory processes);
Medicines that help lower blood pressure. In the presence of protein in urine, a decrease in blood occurs, which leads to swelling and an increase in arterial parameters;
If there is pain, it is recommended to use painkillers - tablets, capsules or suppositories;
Glucocorticosteroids, etc.

Often, an increase in protein in biological fluid is caused by a man’s poor diet, so it is recommended to follow a dietary diet. A healthy diet involves the following activities:

Limit table salt consumption to two grams per day.
Maintain a drinking regime - up to a liter of water per day.
Limit consumption of red meat and fish products.
Include vegetables, dairy products, and rice in your diet.

Treatment

Proteinuria is not a disease, but a symptom that can be eliminated by getting rid of the cause. A decrease in the concentration of protein in the urine will occur if the patient strictly follows all the doctor’s recommendations. As a rule, the patient is recommended to undergo a course of drug treatment.

Antibiotics will help quickly eliminate harmful microorganisms.
Anti-inflammatory drugs relieve inflammation;
Medicines to normalize blood pressure.
Glucocorticosteroids and antihistamines.
Pain reliever.

The list of the most suitable medications is selected by the doctor individually for each patient. It all depends on the diagnosis and characteristics of the body.

Under no circumstances should you try to treat yourself. Most often, the patient is recommended bed rest and special nutrition.

The daily menu should contain foods that are easily digestible and contain a large amount of vitamins and nutrients.

The norm of protein in urine in men and the reasons for its increase

In the kidneys, constant filtration of blood occurs and the unnecessary, waste part of it is excreted from the body in urine in small quantities. At the same time, normally, the kidney membrane does not allow protein molecules to pass through due to its size; most of them remain in the blood. Small amounts of protein can still sometimes pass through the kidneys.

Even a healthy man may have some amount of protein in the urine, but this amount should not exceed the specified limit.

Why does protein appear in urine?

The appearance of a small amount of protein in a urine test may be due to some so-called physiological reasons, in which the appearance of protein in the urine is not dangerous. First of all, this:

Adolescence, when, against the background of intense growth, changes occur in the body, leading to slight proteinuria. This is not dangerous and usually goes away completely with the end of puberty.

The predominance of meat in the diet can cause the presence of protein in urine.

Protein often increases in athletes, especially during intense training or during competitions. In general, any very strong physical activity can cause the short-term appearance of protein in the urine. If you remove the load and restore normal functioning of the body, the analysis returns to normal in 2-3 days.

Severe stress, psycho-emotional overload, significant hypothermia of the body - all this can also be the cause of short-term proteinuria.
The predominance of meat (especially fatty meat) in the diet can affect the general analysis of urine by the appearance of a small amount of protein. Abuse of sports nutrition (protein-carbohydrate mixtures, gainers, etc.) can also lead to this. See: “Is meat more beneficial or harmful for men?”

Is high protein levels in urine dangerous for human health?

Detection of protein in a general urine test that exceeds normal values requires confirmation. To do this, you need to do a repeat study, which will confirm or exclude the possibility of proteinuria.

In pathologies that are accompanied by pathological proteinuria, the amount of protein lost in the urine is not the same, its chemical composition and spatial structure are different. Information obtained from a laboratory examination helps the attending physician clarify the type of disease and determine whether proteinuria is primary or secondary.

Increased protein in the urine, the treatment of which depends on the main diagnosis, can become both a manifestation of primary renal pathologies and a consequence of diseases of other internal organs and systems. Its presence in urine is dangerous not only because pathological proteinuria is an early diagnostic sign of serious diseases. And not only because a huge amount of protein is lost in the urine, which is extremely necessary for the body (for “building” purposes and for strengthening the immune system). The protein molecules themselves, filtering in the glomeruli and passing through the renal tubules in excessively large quantities, have a very negative effect on them, which is called nephrotoxic.

Albumin, passing through structures affected by the inflammatory process, makes it more intense, which accelerates the destruction of renal tissue and its replacement with scar lesions. In addition to this, they contribute to the destruction of the endothelium of the renal tubules and cause their spasm. Proteins with a higher atomic mass cause the formation of oxygen radicals and increase inflammatory infiltration of tissues. The higher the level of proteinuria, the faster renal failure develops, and the more likely complications from the cardiovascular system are.

Pathological proteinuria

A persistent and (or) significant increase in protein in a man’s body is always the cause of some disease. Pathology can develop:

in the kidney itself (renal proteinuria);

outside the kidney, without touching the organs of the urinary system at all (prerenal and postrenal proteinuria).

Renal proteinuria

Kidney pathology may be the cause of the presence of protein in the urine.

If the cause of the appearance of protein in the urine of men is kidney pathology, then this is usually a severe inflammation affecting the glomerular apparatus (renal glomeruli and tubules) and the renal membrane. In first place in frequency is glomerulonephritis, in which, due to inflammation, the elasticity of the renal membrane changes and its permeability increases. Also, protein in the urine can appear with pyelonephritis, various kidney tumors (polycystic disease, cancer).

Postrenal proteinuria

A number of diseases of the urinary system, in which inflammation develops in the urethra (urethra), bladder, and prostate gland, can give a protein picture in the analysis. This is due to the presence of active inflammatory products in the urine and is called “false proteinuria.” If a man has a history of diagnoses such as acute or chronic urethritis, cystitis, prostatitis, one must always be careful to correctly interpret a general urine test.

Prerenal proteinuria

The cause of the appearance of protein in the urine of men can be various pathologies of organs and body systems. Most likely:

Diabetes mellitus, heart pathologies and other diseases can also cause increased protein in urine.

diabetes;

damage to the cardiovascular system (myocardial infarction, hypertension);

various poisonings of the body (acute and chronic);

acute infectious inflammation (flu, pneumonia);

malignant tumors (cancer, leukemia, multiple myeloma);

stroke, epilepsy.

The mechanisms of occurrence of proteinuria in these diseases are different and the numerical values of protein can vary greatly.

Renal and extrarenal proteinuria

The reasons for increased protein in the urine are not always easy to determine.

Renal proteinuria is of two types - tubular and tubular.

Tubular proteinuria is observed with:

immunosuppressive therapy;
acute interstitial nephritis;
Sjögren's syndrome;
long-term use of NSAIDs;
cryoglobulinemia (presence of cryoglobulin proteins in the blood that cause systemic vasculitis).

Glomerular proteinuria, which occurs due to damage to the glomeruli, which is observed in various forms of glomerulonephritis.

Extrarenal proteinuria can be prerenal or postrenal. Overflow proteinuria develops as a result of increased production of atypical low molecular weight proteins, causing acute kidney damage. It occurs in diseases such as rhabdomyolysis (the process of destruction of muscle cells) and multiple myeloma.

The causes of postrenal proteinuria are infections, urolithiasis, and various tumor processes in the kidneys. What does protein in urine mean in women?

Clinical manifestations and diagnosis

With kidney pathology, patients complain of pain in the lumbar region, increased body temperature, and difficulty urinating. The most important thing in correct diagnosis is the interpretation of laboratory and functional research methods. Pay attention to the indicators of creatinine, urea, residual nitrogen in the biochemical blood test. Electrolyte levels and total protein are assessed. Structural changes in the kidney itself can be determined using ultrasound diagnostics.

For inflammatory diseases in the genitourinary area that do not affect the kidneys, it is very important to correctly collect urine for analysis to avoid mucus and pus from the sites of inflammation. The collected urine is roughly divided into three portions. First, the man urinates in the toilet, when he feels that about a third of the expected portion of urine has been released, he stops urinating and carefully collects the next part in a jar for analysis. The last remaining urine is also sent to the toilet. In the first and last portions, there is a high probability of “catching” elements that are not related to the kidneys.

To be sure that the cause of proteinuria lies outside the kidneys, it is necessary to correctly diagnose the underlying disease. Often, the pathologies that cause proteinuria are obvious (stroke, myocardial infarction) and are diagnosed due to an obvious clinical picture (acute onset, characteristic course). A number of diseases can occur latently (diabetes mellitus, incipient cancer) and require a complete examination of the patient with consultation of relevant specialists.

Treatment and prognosis

In order for protein to stop appearing in a man’s general urine test, it is necessary to cure the underlying disease that is the cause of proteinuria.

For active inflammation in the kidney, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory drugs, and agents that improve renal blood flow are used;
For extrarenal pathologies, it is important to remove the main factors of proteinuria;
In case of poisoning - cope with intoxication of the body;
For hypertension - normalize blood pressure;
For diabetes mellitus - normalize blood glucose levels, etc.

The prognosis after the appearance of protein in the urine in men largely depends on timely diagnosis and proper treatment of the underlying disease. The patient must remember that any, even minor, manifestation of proteinuria requires contacting a medical institution for a thorough examination.

Forecast

In case of various pathological changes during which protein is released, normal nutrition should be provided with foods containing protein in order to promptly replenish it in the body. The prognosis in most cases depends on timely diagnosis and competent treatment course of the underlying disease. The patient must remember that even the slightest hint of proteinuria needs to be referred to a specialist.

The appearance of protein in the urine is possible in absolutely healthy people; its norm is up to 0.033 g/l. Even exceeding this level to 1 g/l in most cases (80–90%) is also not a pathology, provided that the protein is detected once in a urine test and its subsequent absence in urine. These conditions are called functional proteinuria and are characteristic of fever, dehydration, and occur during physical exertion or prolonged vertical positioning of a person. Only in 10–15 people out of 100, elevated protein levels in laboratory tests are repeated more than once and are considered pathological proteinuria, which entails the need for careful diagnosis.