What is protein in the urine?
Protein in the urine (proteinuria) means your kidneys are leaking protein that should stay in your blood. Sometimes it’s temporary, but it can also be an early sign of kidney damage, even when you feel well.

Common causes and risk factors
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis)
- Autoimmune diseases (like lupus)
- Certain medications
- Family history of kidney disease

Symptoms to watch for
Many people have no symptoms. Possible signs include:
- Foamy or bubbly urine
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, or around the eyes
- Weight gain from fluid retention
- Fatigue or low energy

How we diagnose protein in the urine
At Total Kidney, we may use:
- Urine dipstick tests
- Urine protein-to-creatinine or albumin-to-creatinine ratio
- 24‑hour urine collection in select cases
- Blood tests to check kidney function
- Imaging or additional blood work if we suspect an underlying disease

How Total Kidney treats protein in the urine
Treatment focuses on the cause and on protecting your kidneys:
- Tight control of blood pressure and blood sugar
- Medications that reduce protein loss (such as ACE inhibitors or ARBs, when appropriate)
- Adjusting other medicines that may affect the kidneys
- Nutrition guidance, including salt and sometimes protein intake
- Monitoring labs over time to track improvement

When to see a nephrologist
You should see a kidney specialist if:
- Your doctor tells you you have persistent protein in your urine
- You have diabetes or high blood pressure plus proteinuria
- You have swelling, foamy urine, or a family history of kidney disease

We’ll help you understand what your numbers mean and create a clear plan to protect your kidney function.