How to Interprete your results ?

Results: 

The proteinuria test (or UPCR test) measures how much proteins and creatinine are present in your urine sample and then compares the numbers to each other, as protein to creatinine ratio.  So, focus on the word 'ratio' in your results, which will tell you about your kidney health status. 

A lower ratio is better for your heath ( such as < 0.5) and higher your number means higher is the risk for kidney disease.

Suppose, you get results like this (as 0.10 shown in the image)  on your  smartphone screen,  you have a normal function of the kidney.

Dark Green Indicator (0 to 0.2) 

=>>  Normal function of the kidney.

Light Green Indicator (0.21 to 0.49) 

=>>  Normal function of the kidney.

Yellow Indicator (0.50 to 0.99) 

=>>  Mild proteinuria. It means slight kidney related disease. 

REPEAT this test after 1 week. 

If both tests are positive,  please visit nearest Nephrologist. 

Orange Indicator (1.0 to 2.9) 

=>>  Moderate proteinuria. It means moderate kidney related disease. 

Please visit nearest Nephrologist. 

Red Indicator (3 to 50) 

=>>  Heavy proteinuria. It means severe kidney related disease. 

Please visit nearest Nephrologist. 

Follow- up Testing: 

What to do next is depend upon your number. Please do not make a decision based on only one test for the above results. Repeat the test in a span of 1 week  and if both tests are showing same results (except Green Zone), you will need to visit your clinician. 

What to do if 2 test done a week apart show different colour indicator?

You will have to do third test , and take the average of the two test. 

Proteinuria test or Urinary Protein to Creatinine Ratio (UPCR) test 

 This test measures two substances from your urine - Total proteins and creatinine.

Total Proteins: Proteins are not usually found in the urine, even they are found, they are in small quantities ( like 200 mg of total proteins are excreted from your urine everyday in 24 hours!). Proteins are important for muscle building, repairing and fighting any infections. Urinary proteins consist of albumin, globulin and several other proteins.

Creatinine: It is the waste product that comes from the digestion of proteins in your food and breakdown of the muscle tissue. Usually this waste product is removed from your kidney and therefore, it appears in the urine. 

Healthy kidneys do not allow proteins to filter into the urine from blood. But, when there is a damage to kidneys, the proteins will 'leak' into your urine (proteinuria or albuminuria). So, having is a protein in your urine can be a sign of kidney disease, even your  Blood Creatinine levels are normal. 

Proteinuria test (or UPCR) is the initial best test for risky population (Diabetes, Hypertension, CKD, Obese, and above 40 years of age) because it offers convenience and accuracy, at your home. 

Urine strips available in the market have a very less accuracy and precision, and also difficult to Interprete by any layman.  You cant measure proteins and creatinine absolutely. 

       NAME, COMPANY                                  SPECIFICITY                                   SENSITIVITY  

 1. COMBUR TEST M strip, ROCHE                 75%                                                  69.80%         

 2. AMES Multistix, BAYER                                  97%                                                  37%       

 3. MULTISTIX 10SG, SIEMENS                      74.30%                                             67.50%    

(REF:     

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6366948/

2. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0171106

3. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10157-006-0458-z)

WHY PROTEINURIA TEST IS IMPORTANT?

Having a protein in your urine increases the risk of  kidney disease and also cardiovascular disease ( heart attack and stroke).  If left untreated this condition, it will reduce your life expectancy. 

As kidney disease do not show any sign until the last stage, it is important to have proteinuria test done at least 4 times a year ( Risky Group) and 2 times a year ( Healthy group).