Proteinuria, or protein in the urine, is sometimes a sign of a serious health condition, such as kidney disease. It can also be a side effect of less serious issues like dehydration or result from strenuous exercise.
The treatments for proteinuria depend on the reason for the condition. There are some types of proteinuria for which drinking more water is helpful. Other cases of proteinuria are caused by underlying health conditions that require more complex management.
If a test shows elevated protein levels in your urine, drinking water and balancing your fluid levels may help.
How To Lower Protein Levels With Hydration
Most cases of proteinuria are benign, and doctors might refer to them as transient proteinuria. In these cases, the protein in your urine is due to a stressor or illness. Some common causes of transient proteinuria include [1, 2]:
- Fever
- Acute illness
- Intense exercise
- Dehydration
- Emotional upset or stress
- Inflammatory processes
- Exposure to extreme cold
In all of these situations, the increased protein in the urine is directly connected to the underlying condition. Protein levels typically return to normal once you recover from the illness or activity that has caused proteinuria.
Drinking more water may be helpful when you have a transient increase in protein in the urine. Proper hydration is the first line of treatment for dehydration. Hydration is also extremely helpful in recovering from illness, fever, or exertion. Drinking water can improve digestion, which is one way to remove excess protein from the body, aid blood circulation, and regulate body temperature.
Drinking plenty of water, along with rest, proper nutrition, and other measures to aid recovery from exertion or illness, can help resolve transient proteinuria.
Proteinuria That Does Not Respond to Hydration
Persistent proteinuria can be a symptom of a serious medical condition. It indicates damage to the kidneys, which can be caused by kidney disease, including kidney cancer. Other health conditions can also lead to damage to the kidneys, including [3]:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Lupus
- Multiple myeloma
- Preeclampsia in pregnant people
- Amyloidosis (also known as buildup of abnormal proteins in your organs)
- Heart disease
- Heart failure
- Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Malaria
- Rheumatoid arthritis
The use of certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can also lead to proteinuria.
If you suspect a significant health condition is causing protein in your urine, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. They can diagnose any underlying health issues and help you get treatment that will reduce urine microalbumin and other proteins.
Test Strips for Protein in Urine
At-home urine tests such as the Diagnox Urine Protein test can help you monitor the amount of protein in your urine. The urine protein test strips from Diagnox are professional quality tests that can be used to monitor protein associated with conditions like lupus disease, nephrotic syndrome, and preeclampsia, as well as for general kidney health screening.
