Description:
PROTEIN is filtered out of urine by the glomeruli of the kidneys. Albumin is the most common serum protein, thus the majority of the protein in urine is albumin. A damaged kidney will allow some protein through into the urine, the less protein in urine the better. Elevated protein levels in urine is called microalbuminuria or proteinuria, which typically arises due to type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or high blood pressure. CREATININE is synthesized in the body at a fairly constant rate from creatine. In healthy individuals, creatinine secretion is independent of diet and is fairly constant. The creatinine clearance test has become one of the most sensitive tests for measuring glomerular filtration rate. PROTEIN/CREATININE RATIO (PCR) remains the simplest and most convenient test for proteinuria. Other Methods such as 24 hour urine test or timed urine test require strict adherence to sample collection protocol. Since the protein concentration is normalized to creatinine secretion, the urine sample can be taken at anytime and no diet or liquid restrictions are necessary for sample collection.