What Does Pro++++ Imply in URT

For the patients with Kidney Disease, when they take urine routine test (URT), the result usually presents pro+, pro++ and even pro++++. What does the "+" mean? Does pro++++ imply that kidney injury is very serious?

In fact, the normal urine also contains protein, but its amount is less than 150 mg/24h. In URT, the protein in urine is negative, which is expressed in pro-. Once the amount of protein in urine exceeds 150 mg/24h, the urinary protein qualitative test result is positive (+). The number of "+" is in proportion to the amount of protein in urine. Pro++++ implies that the kidney injury is very serious. Then why is there protein in urine?

Kidneys are responsible for filtering blood and discharging metabolic wastes. In normal case, they can excrete the metabolic products from blood, but keep the useful substances in body.

The kidneys realize the above function mainly relying on the glomeruli which are the filters in kidneys. The glomerular filtration membrane has barrier function and can prevent protein leakage into urine. However, in Kidney Disease, the glomerular filtration rate is impaired and its permeability enhances greatly. As a result, the protein will pass through the filtration membrane and appear in urine.

Therefore, in order to eliminate protein in urine, the patients with Kidney Disease should take relevant therapy to repair the damaged glomerular filtration membrane. Here Immunotherapy is recommended to the patients with Kidney Disease.
If you have abnormal test values in your blood or urine test or you have any abnormal symptom, you can consult us on line. Our experts will help you analyze your disease condition and give you some useful advices as soon as possible.