Urinary protein is one indicator attached importance by both doctors and kidney patients, because the long-term increase of urinary protein is closely related to the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to uremia (ESRD).

Every time the test shows that there is protein in urine, kidney patients ask doctor: “My proteinuria is 2+. Is it serious? How to treat it? Can steroids be avoided?”

In the case of urinary protein 2+, urinary protein more than 2+ is mostly caused by kidney disease. And you need to do other tests such as 24h urine protein to clarify exactly how many grams of protein there are in urine.

Classification of 24h urine protein:

Slight proteinuria: 24h urine protein <1.0 g

Moderate proteinuria: 1.0 g<=24h urine protein =<3.5 g

Severe proteinuria: 24h urine protein > 3.5 g

For urine protein 2+, 24 hours urine protein quantitative examination results usually do not exceed 2~3 g, and also may be less than 1.0 g. Different levels of urinary protein have different treatment regimens.

Then, look for primary diseases that cause urinary protein 2+ (chronic nephritis, Nephrotic Syndrome, Diabetic Nephropathy, Hypertension Nephropathy, IgA Nephropathy, Lupus Nephritis, allergic Purpura Nephritis, hepatitis b virus associated nephritis, etc.).

In addition, we should know the degree of kidney damage, whether there is acute renal injury, or other complications and so on.

Urinary protein 2+, no matter what the primary disease is, as long as the 24-hour urinary protein quantification persists for more than 2.5~3.0 grams, it is usually possible to consider steroid treatment, and pay attention to the indications of strict control of steroid use.

If the 24-hour urine ration is between 1.0 and 2.5 grams (except for lupus nephritis, purpura nephritis, etc.), the combination therapy of traditional Chinese medicine with immunosuppressive agents, ACEI or ARBs is usually selected.

If 24-hour urinary protein quantification is below 1.0g and no steroids have been used, treatment can be focused on lowering blood pressure, reducing blood sugar, decreasing blood lipid, controlling weight and Chinese medicine rather than steroids or immunosuppressants.

Of course, each person's condition is different, so you had better seek professional doctors for treatment. For more information on proteinuria treatment, please leave a message below or contact online doctors.