It will also be important to know about your general health , and particularly to know your blood pressure and the results of some tests of how well the kidney works. You will be tested for diabetes. More detailed tests may include the analysis of a 24 hour collection of urine and kidney scans or X-rays. Sometimes a kidney biopsy may be suggested, although this is not usually required unless the level of protein leakage is high, or if there are other signs of kidney disease. If the amount of proteinuria is high or if the kidney function is affected it is particularly important to find out the cause.
Heavy proteinuria can damage the kidney if it is present over a long period of time.
The treatments may differ depending on the cause of the proteinuria - if this is known. See EdRenINFO or the other links page for individual causes of proteinuria. It is essential that anyone with proteinuria is monitored over time. However for most people, who have a lower level of proteinuria, the right thing is simply to monitor urine tests, blood pressure and kidney function over a prolonged period. If things are stable this may be just once a year and these tests need not be always undertaken from hospital or by specialists.