Overview

• Urine does not normally contain protein, as the glomerular filter is too small to allow for filtration of protein.
• Protein found in the urine may be albumin or globulins. The dipstick protein test is sensitive for albumin, and less so for globulins.

• • Causes of Proteinuria

  • Glomerular - Primary

  • Minimal change disease
  • Membranous nephropathy
  • Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

  • Glomerular - Secondary

  • Lupus nephritis
  • Diabetic Nephropathy
  • Pre-eclampsia
  • Post-infectious glomerulonephritis
  • Amyloidosis
  • Infections - HBV, HCV, HIV, syphilis, malaria
  • Drugs - gold, NSAIDs, heroin, lithium
  • Malignancy - lung, gastric, colorectal, leukaemia, lymphoma

  • Tubular

  • Acute tubular necrosis
  • Tubulointerstitial nephritis
  • Fanconi syndrome

  • Overflow

  • Multiple myeloma
  • Rhabdomyolysis
  • Heart failure
  • Intense exercise
  • Fever

  • Other

  • Orthostatic proteinuria