Urin protein level fluctuation

Posted by chris11 @chris11, Feb 5 8:55pm

Anyone knows why with normal gfr, urin protein moves from 500 to 1300 to 1000 all within 6 months? 3 different spot urin tests.

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@chris11 welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I’m wondering this also. I have chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4. Just saw nephrologist yesterday and learned my protein is WAY up. Was asked if I had had any increases in dietary protein or salt. I haven’t. I mostly cook at home and limit protein and sodium. My weight was also WAY up, higher than it has ever been. (A 10 pound gain in the past month and a 30 pound gain over the past 6 months!) All I can think of is the holidays, my birthday and perhaps going out to eat (where you have little control over the ingredients. There has also been some added stress. There was an unexpected & sudden death in my son-in-law’s family. One of my daughters has Stage 4 Breast Cancer. My best friend (since kindergarten) just got a Stage 1 Colon Cancer diagnosis and was having surgery yesterday ….. But everyone has stress right?
My provider ordered repeat and more labs in one week. I was told to increase fluid consumption (WATER not coffee ((I have a coffee addiction)). On my own I decided I’d better cut back on eating (especially going out to eat) and figure out a way to increase exercise. It is difficult because there are things I want to celebrate (my birthday, Chineses New Year, the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, Valentine’s Day) that usually involve some kind of feasting! Also I really enjoy eating. Regarding exercise. I tend to be sedentary, lazy and haven’t really found a type of exercise that I enjoy much (if at all). I’ve done ok in the past but have fallen out of the habit and need to commit. Easier said than done.
You mentioned “normal GFR” but varying protein. My experience was similar. My GFR was relatively good (for me). Most of the other labs were in range. But the protein was terribly high and the chloride was up. I take an immune suppressant for a transplant 18 years ago and the drug level was low. So I’m left with following the measures described above. Have you enquired of your provider the reasons for the variation? Do you have a provider that can help stabilize things, perhaps a renal dietician or nutritionist?

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Sorry about your CKD4. Apparently, the high protein could be "transient", due to various issues such as infection. It is just too much of fluctuation in my opinion. It is not trending in one direction, it is up and down, all abnormal range. No one ( including providers) have been able to explain it so far. I was hoping someone on this platform has had experience with something similar.

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I've had difficulty with my levels bouncing around at different times.
Basically it's maintaining the course until it settles into a more stable set. Remember things like fatigue, illness, dehydration, medications and level of exercise and especially stress, can affect how our body handles all of these in all the functions the kidney does for our
body.
I'd stick close to your docs, being ssure you're testing levels regularly and reporting any symptoms. Might be helpful to keep a diary of your days, good, exercise, meds, how you feel etc t see if you can see a pattern
Eventually mine settled and are not as erratic
Wishing you good luck.

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