Microalbuminuria 30 - 150 mg 2. As kidney disease progresses, more protein enters the urine. People with nephrotic-range proteinuria typically have extensive glomeruli damage and usually develop nephrotic syndrome . Causes and Risk Factors Hypertension and diabetes are the two biggest risk factors for proteinuria. Old age and weight gain also increase the risk.
Excess protein can cause the urine to foam in water.
This occurs because protein changes the surface tension between urine and water. Edema usually only occurs in nephrotic range proteinuria. Albumin is particularly useful in absorbing bodily fluid into the blood. Because the albumin molecule is relatively small, it is often among the first proteins to enter the urine after glomeruli are damaged. Therefore, even minor kidney dysfunction is detectable with proper diagnosis of micoralbuminuria.