Urine protein dipstick test

After you provide a urine sample, it is tested. The health care provider uses a dipstick made with a color-sensitive pad. The color on the dipstick tells the provider the level of protein in your urine. If needed, your provider may ask you to collect your urine at home over 24 hours . Your provider will tell you how…

Different medicines can change the result of this test. Before the test, tell your provider which medicines you are taking. DO NOT stop taking any medicine before talking to your provider. The following may also interfere with test results: Dehydration Dye (contrast media) if you have a radiology scan within 3 days…

The test only involves normal urination. There is no discomfort.

This test is most often done when your provider suspects you have kidney disease. It may also be used as a screening test for kidney disease , for example in people with diabetes . Although small amounts of protein are normally present in urine, a routine dipstick test may not detect them. A urine microalbumin test…

For a random urine sample, normal values are 0 to 14 mg/dL. For a 24-hour urine collection, the normal value is less than 80 mg per 24 hours. The examples above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements…

Larger amounts of protein in the urine may be due to: Heart failure Kidney problems, such as kidney damage , diabetic kidney disease , and kidney cysts Loss of body fluids (dehydration) Multiple myeloma Problems during pregnancy, such as seizures due to eclampsia or high blood pressure caused by preeclampsia Urinary…

There are no risks with this test.

Krishnan A, Levin A. Laboratory assessment of kidney disease: glomerular filtration rate, urinalysis, and proteinuria. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney . 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 23. Lamb EJ, Jones GRD. Kidney function tests.…