Urine Test Results: Blood and Protein in Young Adults

Q: Urine Test Results: Blood and Protein in Young Adults

Hello： The interpretation of hematuria in a health check refers to the presence of blood in the urine. <br>Generally, in severe cases, the urine may appear red, which can be visually identified (known as gross hematuria). <br>If there is a small amount of bleeding, the urine may

Urine test strips for detecting urinary occult blood?

Today at school, I conducted a urine test using urine test strips.
The results indicated that there seems to be hematuria (blood in urine) and proteinuria (protein in urine).
Is this normal? Why is there blood? I'm only 20 years old.
During a previous health check for freshmen, proteinuria was also detected, and I went to the hospital for a follow-up.
At that time, I intentionally drank more water, and the test results were normal.
But why is it like this today? Could it be due to insufficient water intake? However, I usually drink very little water, about 300 to 400 cc a day, and sometimes I forget to drink.

cc, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2013/10/31

Dr. Chen Bozhang reply Family Medicine

Hello: The interpretation of hematuria in a health check refers to the presence of blood in the urine.
Generally, in severe cases, the urine may appear red, which can be visually identified (known as gross hematuria).
If there is a small amount of bleeding, the urine may not show any noticeable changes, making it necessary to conduct a urine occult blood test.
This test is designed to detect the presence of blood in the urine.
The causes of hematuria can include various conditions such as stones, trauma, infections, cancer, or nephritis.
For women who are menstruating, menstrual blood may mix with urine, so it is advisable to avoid urine tests during this period.
The most common clinical abnormalities associated with hematuria are cystitis and renal or ureteral stones.
In asymptomatic patients, the presence of proteinuria may indicate an early manifestation of a serious kidney disease, but it could also be a temporary or non-progressive renal abnormality.
Simple proteinuria, which refers to the presence of protein without other kidney diseases, systemic diseases, or abnormal urine sediment, can be further classified into benign transient proteinuria and persistent simple proteinuria.
The former may be functional, caused by factors such as fever, intense exercise, cold exposure, emotional stress, or pregnancy; some are posture-related, with 80% of these patients exhibiting transient proteinuria, while the remaining 20% with persistent proteinuria may experience renal function deterioration.
However, many causes of benign transient proteinuria remain unknown.
Patients with persistent simple proteinuria have various potential causes, leading to different prognoses, with some experiencing renal function deterioration.
There are many factors that can cause hematuria and proteinuria; if a patient has undergone re-examination at a hospital and the results are normal, it is likely not a major concern, and regular follow-up is recommended.

Reply Date: 2013/10/31

More Info

Understanding urine test results, especially concerning the presence of blood (hematuria) and protein (proteinuria), can be quite concerning, particularly for a young adult like yourself. Let's break down what these results might mean and why they could appear in your urine tests.

Presence of Blood in Urine (Hematuria)
The detection of blood in your urine can be alarming, but it's important to understand that hematuria can occur for a variety of reasons. In young adults, some common causes include:
1. Infection: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common and can lead to inflammation and bleeding in the urinary tract, resulting in blood in the urine.

2. Kidney Stones: These can cause irritation and bleeding as they pass through the urinary tract.

3. Trauma: Any recent injury to the kidneys or bladder can result in blood appearing in the urine.

4. Exercise-Induced Hematuria: Intense physical activity can sometimes lead to temporary hematuria, especially if you are not well-hydrated.

5. Glomerular Disease: Conditions affecting the kidney's filtering units can also lead to blood in the urine.

Given your age and the context of your situation, it’s less likely to be a serious condition, but it’s still essential to follow up with a healthcare provider for further evaluation.

Presence of Protein in Urine (Proteinuria)
Proteinuria can also be a sign of various underlying conditions. In young adults, it can be caused by:
1. Dehydration: As you mentioned, if you are not drinking enough water, it can concentrate your urine and lead to a temporary increase in protein levels.

2. Physical Activity: Strenuous exercise can cause transient proteinuria.

3. Infections: Like hematuria, urinary infections can also lead to protein in the urine.

4. Kidney Disease: Persistent proteinuria can indicate kidney damage or disease, such as glomerulonephritis or diabetic nephropathy.

Interpretation of Your Results
In your case, the fact that you had a previous normal result after hydrating more suggests that your current findings could indeed be related to dehydration or insufficient fluid intake. A daily water intake of only 300-400 cc is significantly below the recommended amount for most adults, which is typically around 2-3 liters, depending on activity level and climate.

Recommendations
1. Hydration: Increase your daily water intake. Aim for at least 1.5 to 2 liters per day, adjusting based on your activity level and climate.

2. Follow-Up Testing: Since you have had previous concerns about protein and blood in your urine, it would be wise to repeat the urine test after ensuring you are well-hydrated. This will help determine if the results were indeed influenced by dehydration.

3. Consult a Healthcare Provider: If blood or protein continues to appear in your urine, or if you experience any other symptoms (such as pain, frequent urination, or fever), seek medical advice. A healthcare provider may recommend further tests, such as a urine culture, imaging studies, or blood tests, to rule out any underlying conditions.

Conclusion
While occasional findings of blood and protein in the urine can be benign, especially in the context of dehydration or exercise, it is crucial to monitor these results and maintain adequate hydration. Regular check-ups and open communication with your healthcare provider will help ensure your urinary health remains optimal. Remember, your body is sending you signals, and it's important to listen to them!

Similar Q&A

Understanding Kidney Function: Concerns and Symptoms in Young Adults

Height: 182 cm, Weight: 65 kg, Age: 19. I went to bed at midnight the night before the examination. The results are as follows: (Blood Test) 1. AST: 54 U/L 2. ALT: 47 U/L 3. Creatinine (Blood): 0.9 mg/dL 4. eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate): 115.5 ml/min/1.73m² (Urin...

Dr. Du Shixi reply Urology
Hello: It seems to be a problem with proteinuria, which can occur intermittently. It is advisable to conduct several tests for reference. You may want to consult a nephrologist for follow-up. Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary beverages. I personally have lumbar spondylolysis...

Factors Affecting Urine Test Results: Understanding Protein and Blood Levels

Medical Examination Report: Urine: Protein 15 mg/dL, Albumin 80 mg/dL, Occult blood 1+; Blood: Glucose 81 mg/dL. The urine test was conducted in the morning of the examination day, but it was discovered in the afternoon that menstruation had started. The presence of occult blood ...

Dr. Ye Qianyu reply Family Medicine
Hello! It is recommended that you have a follow-up examination one week after your menstrual period ends. You can choose either general internal medicine or family medicine for the consultation.

Understanding Positive Urinary Protein: When to Seek Further Evaluation

Hello Dr. Huang, I recently underwent a general health check-up, which included blood and urine tests. When I received the report, the nurse mentioned that everything was normal, but I noticed that my urine protein was positive at 1+, while all other results were within normal ra...

Dr. Huang Yaoxuan reply Internal Medicine
Hello, a urine protein result of 1+ does not necessarily indicate a problem. If you are concerned, you may want to schedule an appointment with a nephrologist (remember to bring your health check report). Additionally, postural proteinuria is a condition where "normal indivi...

Understanding Rising Urine Protein Levels: What You Need to Know

Hello, Doctor. Below are the results from my visit to Hospital B on the evening of March 14 this year. The random urine test results were as follows: Urine Creatinine: 93.4 mg/dL; Micro Albumin: 25.7 * mg/dL (Random Urine < 1.9 mg/dL); Urine Protein: 42.0 * mg/dL < 14; ACR:...

Dr. Wu Hongjie reply Internal Medicine
The presence of bubbles in urine does not necessarily indicate proteinuria; factors such as fever, excessive exercise, consumption of high animal protein, hormonal influences, or other diseases causing abnormal protein production can also be responsible. Even if tests do not show...