I just took a urine test for a job and they said my protein level was high. They said this is due to kidney disease or because i take in too much protein. Its the latter becausei drink protien shakes and creatine everyday. So they told me to lay off it for a week and then retest. Is there things i should be drinking to bring the protein level down and what should I aviod. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Eventually, as long as it is not some kind of disease, your body will bring the protein levels down once you stop taking all the supplements. Your body can only use so much protein...The rest it will get rid of but if you take in too much, or more than the body can remove, your protein levels in your blood will go up. This could lead to kidney problems in the future.

 

Any liquids i can drink to spped up this process. Is a week enough to bring levels down?

 

Drink plenty of water...

 

thanks again

 

Do you know what the actual numerical values are?

See if you can call and get the values for your daily protein and creatinine excretion (grams/day) as well as the protein:creatinine ratio (mg/g). If they used a dipstick for the test, the protein value will be 1+,2+,3+, or 4+.

No matter how much protein you consume, you shouldn't see any protein in the urine. However, if you supplement creatine, you very well may see an increase in your urinary creatinine concentration. Your body converts creatine to creatinine before it excretes it.

Strenous exercise can also cause an increase in protien excretion, even in people with normal kidneys. Did you work out before the test?

 

NOt that day but i do on an almost daily basis. I did not dirnk a lot of water that day before the test like half a cup.

 

By the way i am 24 years old if it makes any difference.

 

do you have the actual lab results of how much protein is in your urine?
did you check your kidney function? BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine levels? These values will tell you whether you have renal insufficiency, renal failure, benign proteinuria, etc... If your re-test shows elevated proteinuria, then you will need to do either: a 24-hour urine collection test or check a "spot creatinine" as SB described.

do you have any physical symptoms? swelling?

I would consider discontinuing all protein supplements from here on out. Limit your protein and salt intake. And wait to see what your doctor says after you re-test rather than jumping to conclusions.

 

what Tom said....

Hey Tom, your dad doesn't take Signa!!!