24-hour urine protein measures the amount of protein excreted in urine over a 24-hour period.
See also: Bence-Jones protein test
A 24-hour urine sample is needed.
For an infant, thoroughly wash the area around the urethra. Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end), and place it on the infant. For males, place the entire penis in the bag and attach the adhesive to the skin. For females, place the bag over the labia. Diaper as usual over the secured bag.
This procedure may take a couple of attempts -- lively infants can move the bag, causing the urine to be absorbed by the diaper. The infant should be checked frequently and the bag changed after the infant has urinated into the bag. Drain the urine from the bag into the container provided by your health care provider.
Deliver it to the laboratory or your health care provider as soon as possible upon completion.
Your health care provider will instruct you, if necessary, to stop taking any drugs that may interfere with the test results.
Drugs that can affect measurements include:
The following may also interfere with test results.
The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.
Your doctor may order this test if you have signs or symptoms of glomerular disease, such as nephrotic syndrome, or another condition that may affect kidney function.
The normal value is less than 80 milligrams per day, or less than 10 milligrams per deciliter of urine.
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 or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
Abnormal results may be due to:
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
Healthy people may have higher than normal urine protein levels after strenuous exercise or with dehydration. Some foods may affect urine protein levels.
The test involves normal urination and there are no risks.
Sometimes, in order to avoid the inconvenience and possible inaccuracy of a 24-hour urine collection, your doctor may order a test done on just one urine sample, called the protein-to-creatinine ratio.
Urine protein - 24 hour
Landry DW, Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 116.
Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2012, A.D.A.M., Inc. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized in writing by ADAM Health Solutions.