Albuminuria: Symptoms, Causes, & What Urine Test Results Mean

Albuminuria occurs when an abnormal amount of albumin protein is lost through your urine. This condition typically indicates that the kidneys are not filtering blood correctly due to issues like diabetes or hypertension.

Albumin is a vital protein that is normally found circulating within your bloodstream. Under healthy conditions, the kidneys prevent this protein from leaving the body, but impaired renal function can allow it to leak into the urine.

A nephrologist should evaluate the presence of albumin in your urine alongside other diagnostic tests. Identifying the underlying cause is essential for determining the most effective treatment plan to protect your long-term kidney health.

Symptoms of albuminuria

The primary symptoms associated with albuminuria include:

• Swelling around the eyes, especially in the morning

• A frequent urge to urinate

• Abdominal swelling or bloating

• Swelling in the feet, ankles, or face

In many cases, albuminuria does not cause any noticeable symptoms. However, one of the most common signs is foamy or bubbly urine, which often indicates a high concentration of protein.

How the test is performed

A routine urinalysis, often called a dipstick test, can identify the presence of albumin in a single urine sample.

To determine the exact level of protein loss, doctors usually request a 24-hour urine collection test. For this procedure, you collect all urine produced over a 24-hour period in a specific container provided by the laboratory for detailed analysis.

Main causes of albuminuria

Several conditions and factors can lead to albuminuria:

• Kidney disorders, such as glomerulonephritis or nephritis

• Cardiovascular disease

• Chronic high blood pressure (hypertension)

• Diabetic nephropathy

• Rheumatic or autoimmune diseases

• Being overweight or having obesity

• Advanced age

• A family history of chronic kidney disease

Albumin may also temporarily appear in the urine due to intense physical exercise, urinary tract infections, fever, dehydration, or high levels of stress. This is known as situational albuminuria.

Understanding your results

Albuminuria is classified based on the severity of the protein leakage and the extent of kidney involvement:

1. Microalbuminuria

Microalbuminuria refers to small amounts of albumin in the urine. This may indicate the very early stages of kidney disease or a temporary situational cause, such as recent strenuous exercise or a current infection.

2- Macroalbuminuria

Macroalbuminuria involves a high concentration of albumin in the urine. This generally indicates more significant kidney damage or a more advanced underlying health condition.

What is a normal albumin level?

Albumin levels are considered normal when the concentration is less than 30 mg over a 24-hour period.

If your results show levels higher than this range, your doctor will likely ask you to repeat the test after one month. This helps confirm whether the albuminuria is a persistent issue or a temporary occurrence.

Treatment options

Treatment for albuminuria is managed by a nephrologist and focuses specifically on the underlying cause of the protein leakage.

Many patients with microalbuminuria see significant improvement when taking medications prescribed to manage the primary condition, such as blood pressure or blood sugar stabilizers.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also critical; doctors typically recommend a low-sodium diet and regular physical activity. Managing blood pressure and glucose is vital because high levels can cause further, irreversible damage to the kidney filtration system.

In severe or advanced cases, medical protein replacement therapy may be necessary to stabilize the body protein levels.