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Kidney & Urinary Health
Question #13087
47 days ago
95

urine routine test - #13087

Ananya

I am kinda freaking out over here. A few days ago, I started noticing some really strange things. First off, I was feeling super fatigued all the time and having to run to the bathroom way more than usual. Thought, eh, maybe I was just drinking too much water, but then I saw some changes in my urine – kinda dark and a bit foamy. I went to my doctor, and they said I should do a urine routine test. I did the urine routine test and got some results that mentioned something about protein levels being a bit high. What does that even mean? Like, does that mean there’s something really wrong with me? I mean, I've heard that a urine routine test can show all sorts of stuff but where do I even go from here? The doc mentioned something about possibly having kidney issues, which is just terrifying. I’ve been googling stuff and it's overwhelming. Should I be worried about these results from the urine routine test? What steps should I take next? Any advice on what the next move is after getting the urine routine test results?

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Doctors’ responses

When a urine routine test shows elevated protein levels, it’s known as proteinuria. This can be a sign of various underlying conditions, but let’s break it down a bit. Normally, your urine shouldn’t have a significant amount of protein, so when it does, it might suggest that your kidneys are not filtering blood as efficiently as they should. This doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something drastically wrong, but it’s definitely something to pay attention to. There can be several reasons for proteinuria. Sometimes, temporary conditions like stress, dehydration, or fever could cause it. However, it may also indicate more chronic issues such as kidney disease, hypertension, or diabetes. Given your symptoms of fatigue and frequent urination, it’s important to explore these results further. I recommend scheduling another appointment with your doctor to discuss these results in detail. They might suggest further testing such as repeating the urine test, a 24-hour urine collection, or blood tests to assess kidney function more comprehensively, looking at measures like creatinine and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). While waiting for follow-up tests and results, you can adopt some beneficial practices like staying well-hydrated, reducing salt intake, and monitoring your blood pressure if you are already aware of it. If your doctor already mentioned kidney concerns, it is crucial to avoid medications that could further impair kidney function, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, unless advised by your physician. Also, don’t hesitate to bring any other symptoms or concerns to their attention, like changes in weight, swelling, or persistent fatigue as they could provide additional clues. Essentially, while the Google’s wealth of information can be overwhelming, following your healthcare provider’s guidance through this process will be most beneficial.

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