Clinical Biochemistry

Protein (urine)

Test Background
Glomerular proteinuria results from increased transcapillary passage of proteins and is characterised by the loss of plasma proteins equal to or greater than albumin, eg. glomerular nephritis, nephritic syndromes and chronic kidney disease.
Tubular proteinuria results from a decrease in the capacity of the tubules to reabsorb protein and results in an increase in excretion of low molecular weight proteins, eg. Fanconi syndrome.
Overflow proteinuria occurs when increased serum concentrations of proteins of low molecular mass are filtered through the glomerulus and exceed the reabsorptive capacity of tubules, eg. Bence-Jones proteinuria, haemoglobinuria, myoglobinuria.

Clinical Indications

• Diagnosis of nephrotic syndromes
• Diagnosis and monitoring of pre-eclampsia
• Monitoring of (early) chronic kidney disease
• Monitoring myelomatous disease

Reference Range

Sample Required
Random urine (preferred) or 24 hour urine collection

Sample Volume
Random urine: 1 mL
or 24 hour urine collection

Turnaround Time
Random urine: 1 day
24 hour urine: 2 days