The causes of a high protein count in urine include chronic kidney disease, diabetes, kidney infection, hypertension and heart failure, according to Mayo Clinic. Although they are not necessarily signs of kidney damage, conditions such as fever, cold exposure and emotional stress may also result in elevated urine protein.
Protein in urine, or proteinuria, is the presence of a higher than normal amount of protein in the urine, explains Mayo Clinic. Typically, high protein count in urine indicates kidney disease, which damages the kidney filters, leading to protein leakage into the urine, notes WebMD. People who are 66 or older have a relatively high risk of having a high protein count in their urine. Native Americans, African-Americans and the obese are also more vulnerable to high protein counts in urine. In some cases, high urine protein may occur as a result of standing.
To determine the amount of protein in the urine, doctors perform a protein urine test, reports MedlinePlus. In this test, a doctor obtains a urine sample from a patient and applies a dipstick fitted with a pad that is sensitive to color. The color of the pad changes depending on the amount of protein in the sample. The patient should inform the doctor of any medications he takes before the test to ensure accuracy of the results.
