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What Is The Normal Range For Protein Dipstick Test In Urine?

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Posted on Mon, 10 Nov 2014
Question: Is 15 considered normal for protein dipstick test in urine? It is listed as follows. (Urine specimen]. [SP . GR 1.015 ]. [protein. 15 ]. Blood 0. ]. Sugar 0].
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Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No protein should be detected

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

since this is a dipstick test then no protein should be detected. Sometimes traces of protein are detected even without existent kidney damage. I could not comment on the importance of this measurement because a spot urine specimen is not sufficient to reliably assess renal protein. It is a good screening test but not so specific.
Sometimes other factors may contribute to a falsely positive test for protein. Alkaline urine is one of them (which means that the urine pH is closer to 8 than to 4.5), urine that was left unprocessed for too long (the patient should take it to the lab before 1 hour has passed and ideally only minutes after urinating) etc
Finding protein (traces or more than that) in the urine warrants for a 24 hour urine collection and testing for proteins. This is the ultimate test to assess for proteins. More than 150mg/24h would be abnormal. Less than that means you can forget about the positive dipstick test.
I hope this is all clear to you now!
If you have further questions, please let me know.

Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3809 Questions

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What Is The Normal Range For Protein Dipstick Test In Urine?

Brief Answer: No protein should be detected Detailed Answer: Hello, since this is a dipstick test then no protein should be detected. Sometimes traces of protein are detected even without existent kidney damage. I could not comment on the importance of this measurement because a spot urine specimen is not sufficient to reliably assess renal protein. It is a good screening test but not so specific. Sometimes other factors may contribute to a falsely positive test for protein. Alkaline urine is one of them (which means that the urine pH is closer to 8 than to 4.5), urine that was left unprocessed for too long (the patient should take it to the lab before 1 hour has passed and ideally only minutes after urinating) etc Finding protein (traces or more than that) in the urine warrants for a 24 hour urine collection and testing for proteins. This is the ultimate test to assess for proteins. More than 150mg/24h would be abnormal. Less than that means you can forget about the positive dipstick test. I hope this is all clear to you now! If you have further questions, please let me know. Kind Regards!