xp: protein was high in 24 hour urine collection test-can anyone tell me more about this?

blessedhope

My OB appointment was yesterday and the Dr. had the results from my first trimester 24 hour urine collection test. (I am diabetic) She told me my protein was high but not high enough to cause immediate alarm. I asked questions but didn't feel like she explained it well enough. I asked about follow up and she said I will do another collection some time in my second trimester. What if the protein from my kidneys is higher next time? What will they do? TIA for any info!

dorothy&gail

With my first pregnancy, my blood pressure (which was perfect the entire pregnancy) started getting high around 32/33 weeks.  So they had me do a urine protein collection as a test for possible pre-eclampsia.  It was slightly elevated, but not to the point of concern.  I never ended up with pre-eclampsia or eclampsia at all.  I am not diabetic normally, but I did have diet controlled gestational diabetes with my first pregnancy.

With my current pregnancy, they have me do a baseline urine protein collection a few weeks ago, just to see what my normal is as I am not having any high blood pressure or signs of pre-e yet.  They did this because of my history, so they know my normal urine protein in case my blood pressure starts go up again with this pregnancy and they have me do the urine test again to check for possible pre-e symtoms.  With this pregnacy have GD again, and have needed insulin to control it.

So for me, the only reason to do the urine test was to test for another sign/symptom of pre-e.  I would guess with a higher level next time, they would watch you more closely for pre-e signs and symptoms.

palma44

I am also type one diabetic, and I did a 24 hour urine right when I got pregnant so that my OB had a base line for what my normal protiens numbers are so they could messure if the protien was increasing through out my pregnancy. They will keep a close eye on you for pre eclampsia since you are diabetic. Do you know what the number was for your 24 hour urine? My protien started to rise at 32 weeks and then shot up very quickly and I was induced at 34 weeks due to severe pre eclampsia with exremely high levels of protien. I plan on buying my own test strips to keep an eye on my protien levels through out my next pregnancy, If you aren't getting another 24 hour urine for a few weeks maybe you would want to do this to keep an eye on it at home?

mysticriver

From my experience they look at protein as one part of the whole picture. For example, my protein was high at 23 weeks but since my BP was low my Dr. said there was no need to to anything except just keep monitoring. High protein with high BP and other signs may be a sign of pre-e but without other signs may be something on its own. I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease based on the protein this time plus previous pg and non-pg lab histories, but this may not be true for everyone. In my case, the protein is bad and will continue to get bad during the pregnancy, but there are no meds I can take for kidney function while pg so my doctor is just continuing to monitor BPs and just treat the pregnancy as normal for now, he won't do anything (bedrest, early delivery) unless my BPs go up too. After the pregnancy protein levels will be monitored, if they stay elevated then there are treatment options post-pregnancy.

I think the only thing to say for certain is that you'll be monitored a lot more, but if everything besides the proteins stay okay, you may have a regular pregnancy delivery. Hope you continue to feel well

blessedhope

Thanks so much for all the info ladies!

blessedhope

palma44:

I am also type one diabetic, and I did a 24 hour urine right when I got pregnant so that my OB had a base line for what my normal protiens numbers are so they could messure if the protien was increasing through out my pregnancy. They will keep a close eye on you for pre eclampsia since you are diabetic. Do you know what the number was for your 24 hour urine? My protien started to rise at 32 weeks and then shot up very quickly and I was induced at 34 weeks due to severe pre eclampsia with exremely high levels of protien. I plan on buying my own test strips to keep an eye on my protien levels through out my next pregnancy, If you aren't getting another 24 hour urine for a few weeks maybe you would want to do this to keep an eye on it at home?

thanks for the reminder to pick up some ketone strips! My number was 190. The Dr. said it is supposed to be under 150.