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Significance of albumin in urine?
Can someone please tell me what is the significance of albumin in urine? Does this mean kidney fuction is worse?
Re: Significance of albumin in urine?
Yes, theoretically--but remember,.... it is a relative measurement.
Even Healthy people "spill" some albumin into their urine, without concern arising as to kidney function.
You'll need to consult the labs (serially) to get a better idea of how much / how long albumin is / has been spilling into the urine.
Remember--many drugs can cause or help this to happen--so it is a relative measurement.
You'll need to ask either : the Nephrologist, Internist, Oncologist, Family Practitioner, of the particular significance, in your situation.
Good luck.
Even Healthy people "spill" some albumin into their urine, without concern arising as to kidney function.
You'll need to consult the labs (serially) to get a better idea of how much / how long albumin is / has been spilling into the urine.
Remember--many drugs can cause or help this to happen--so it is a relative measurement.
You'll need to ask either : the Nephrologist, Internist, Oncologist, Family Practitioner, of the particular significance, in your situation.
Good luck.
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Rneb
Re: Significance of albumin in urine?
Hi hopeful27,
Are the albumin levels in the urine going up, or above the normal range, or going down / below the normal range?
Are the albumin levels in the urine going up, or above the normal range, or going down / below the normal range?
Re: Significance of albumin in urine?
It looks like it's measured in %? Two months ago 18%, now it's 100%.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Re: Significance of albumin in urine?
Hopeful,
Percentage results don't sound quite right for this kind of test.
Could you provide a listing of the exact data and description of what you are looking at? What is the overall title of the lab report that includes this data? Usually, the specific lab line item will also indicate if something is out of range or provide a reference range.
Also, did you do a dipstick test (i.e. you just peed into a sample cup) for this specific lab test, or did you do a 24 hour collection of your urine?
Percentage results don't sound quite right for this kind of test.
Could you provide a listing of the exact data and description of what you are looking at? What is the overall title of the lab report that includes this data? Usually, the specific lab line item will also indicate if something is out of range or provide a reference range.
Also, did you do a dipstick test (i.e. you just peed into a sample cup) for this specific lab test, or did you do a 24 hour collection of your urine?
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Significance of albumin in urine?
This was a 24 hour urine sample. She just started Zometa..and it looks like something is affecting her kidneys again. Any suggestions? Her creatinine went from 1.01 to 1.25 in one month.
Thanks.
Abnormal Protein Band
No M spike
No abnormal peaks on immun or the protein electroph.
Creat Ur - 1.25 (was 1.01 one month ago)
Prot creat ratio 97
Tot Vol - 1350 mL
U Albumin 100%
Alpha 1 0%
Alpha 2 0%
Beta Glob 0%
Gamma Glob 0%
Prot Tot 24 - 122 mg/24 hours
Thanks.
Abnormal Protein Band
No M spike
No abnormal peaks on immun or the protein electroph.
Creat Ur - 1.25 (was 1.01 one month ago)
Prot creat ratio 97
Tot Vol - 1350 mL
U Albumin 100%
Alpha 1 0%
Alpha 2 0%
Beta Glob 0%
Gamma Glob 0%
Prot Tot 24 - 122 mg/24 hours
Re: Significance of albumin in urine?
OK, now I get it.
This is telling you that of the total proteins found in urine, 100% of them are due to the albumin. Your other proteins (alpha, beta and gamma globulins are zero), so the albumin is the only protein being found, hence the 100% reading.
I don't believe this lab line item is worrisome, but I will leave it to somebody more expert in 24 hour urine results to comment on these results, including the creatinine and protein/creatinine ratio and the protein clearance figure.
As mentioned earlier, it's normal to have some albumin in one's urine. T
This is telling you that of the total proteins found in urine, 100% of them are due to the albumin. Your other proteins (alpha, beta and gamma globulins are zero), so the albumin is the only protein being found, hence the 100% reading.
I don't believe this lab line item is worrisome, but I will leave it to somebody more expert in 24 hour urine results to comment on these results, including the creatinine and protein/creatinine ratio and the protein clearance figure.
As mentioned earlier, it's normal to have some albumin in one's urine. T
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Significance of albumin in urine?
Hi Hopeful, The test results you are describing are from the UPEP test, I think (urine Protein electrophoresis test). This is in the same category as the SPEP test (serum protein electrophoresis test). Both of them work on the fact that when a protein sample is put onto an electrophoresis gel, the proteins present will migrate from a negative to a positive charge (anode to cathode). There is a normal band of proteins on a comparison sample, but what the test is about is to look for bands of monoclonal proteins (the M spike), and other bands of protein in the 'glob ins'. The 'M' proteins are the antibodies being produced by the myeloma cancer cells. Of course we all produce antibodies in our immune systems in response to antigens such as bacteria or viruses. But these antibodies are being produced in abnormally high amounts.
So not having an M spike is a good sign, although there is a form of myeloma that is called 'non secretary' where the M spike is not seen on SPEP or UPEP. That is one reason why another blood test, called SFLC (serum free light chains) is also used to detect excessive amounts of the antibodies in the blood. Hope that helps! And good luck to you and your mother!
Albumen, or protein, is normally present in blood. Proteins are used in many forms in our system, including for enzymes and tissues. Proteins are coded by our genomic system in the nucei of our cells, by DNA and RNA.
So not having an M spike is a good sign, although there is a form of myeloma that is called 'non secretary' where the M spike is not seen on SPEP or UPEP. That is one reason why another blood test, called SFLC (serum free light chains) is also used to detect excessive amounts of the antibodies in the blood. Hope that helps! And good luck to you and your mother!
Albumen, or protein, is normally present in blood. Proteins are used in many forms in our system, including for enzymes and tissues. Proteins are coded by our genomic system in the nucei of our cells, by DNA and RNA.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Significance of albumin in urine?
hI again Hopeful, If there is excess protein in the urine, that might be interpreted as a different problem, but I am not a doctor and can't comment on that! As you say, the worry about excess protein is about kidney function, and that is why the creatine test is another test used for kidney function.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Significance of albumin in urine?
Dear Hopeful,
Having some albumin in the urine can be a sign of some damage to the kidneys, but the amount found in her 24 hour urine (only 122 mg) is fairly low, and should not be affecting the kidney function.
Albumin in the urine can be seen with any process that affects the kidneys, including diabetes, hypertension, certain drugs (including bisphosphonates, like Zometa and Aredia), and myeloma itself (though the lack of any M-spike currently makes progressive kidney damage from myeloma unlikely). It's important to measure this serially - is this amount of albumin better than when she was first diagnosed?
Generally this level wouldn't be a major concern, but should be followed.
The rising creatinine can also be from multiple possible factors - e.g. dehydration, medications (such as diuretics, NSAIDS, and occasionally Zometa), infections, myeloma (though, as stated above, this seems unlikely given negative UPEP), and often can fluctuate up and down with minor variations like you're describing. This should also be followed serially, and discussed with her doctor if it continues to worsen.
Having some albumin in the urine can be a sign of some damage to the kidneys, but the amount found in her 24 hour urine (only 122 mg) is fairly low, and should not be affecting the kidney function.
Albumin in the urine can be seen with any process that affects the kidneys, including diabetes, hypertension, certain drugs (including bisphosphonates, like Zometa and Aredia), and myeloma itself (though the lack of any M-spike currently makes progressive kidney damage from myeloma unlikely). It's important to measure this serially - is this amount of albumin better than when she was first diagnosed?
Generally this level wouldn't be a major concern, but should be followed.
The rising creatinine can also be from multiple possible factors - e.g. dehydration, medications (such as diuretics, NSAIDS, and occasionally Zometa), infections, myeloma (though, as stated above, this seems unlikely given negative UPEP), and often can fluctuate up and down with minor variations like you're describing. This should also be followed serially, and discussed with her doctor if it continues to worsen.
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Dr. Adam Cohen - Name: Adam D. Cohen, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
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