What is the significance of the four urine protein items?

Everyone knows about routine urine examination. Routine urine examination includes many items, among which there will be urine protein content test. If the test result shows that there is urine protein, it is still impossible to make a judgment and further examination is required. At this time, four urine protein tests are usually done. For people with a high incidence of related diseases, it is very necessary to do four urine protein tests because this test has the following clinical significance.

The significance of the four items of urine protein:

The four protein items in different medical institutions include different items, and the displayed four protein items are not quite the same. Basically, they all include items that reflect the glomerular and tubular functions. The main item that reflects the glomerular function is urine albumin. If it increases, it indicates that there is a problem with the glomerulus. There is also β2 microglobulin that reflects the tubular function. The increase in this item indicates that there is a problem with the tubular function. The specific reason must be combined with other test results. If the urine protein is elevated, it indicates damage to the glomeruli. If the microglobulin is elevated, it indicates damage to the renal tubules.

The four items of urine protein are used to classify the protein in the urine. The composition of the urine protein is used to determine whether the patient has tubular or glomerular disease. For example, if the protein in the patient's urine is mainly albumin, the possibility of glomerular disease is high. If the patient's urine is mainly composed of small proteins and low molecular weight proteins, such as elevated urinary NAG enzyme, then it is considered that the patient's urine protein is mainly due to renal tubular disease. This examination method can be used to roughly determine the location of the patient's kidney lesions.

The presence of protein in the urine may be caused by strenuous activity, the use of certain medications, and a high-protein diet before the examination. However, if protein in the urine is present in multiple reexaminations, protein loss caused by kidney disease should be considered. Further examination of kidney function and 24-hour urine protein quantification can be performed, and further treatment can be given after a clear diagnosis based on one's own symptoms.

If the urine contains trace amounts of protein during routine examinations, first of all, do not panic and fall into the misunderstanding of seeking medical treatment without any reason. It is best to first reflect on yourself to see if you have other symptoms. A series of concurrent symptoms can provide a better basis for diagnosis. Secondly, re-examination should be conducted to confirm the diagnosis. If it is confirmed to be the cause, targeted treatment should be carried out according to the cause.