What Is the Meaning of a Urine Protein Creatinine Ratio Test?
A urine protein creatinine ratio (UPCR) test is done to measure the protein and creatinine levels in the urine. In addition, it helps the doctor diagnose kidney diseases and monitor the conditions that can harm the kidneys. If the kidneys function well, they eliminate the proteins, creatinine, and other toxins from the body. However, the problem arises when kidneys fail to filter the waste products, including creatinine, from the blood. Therefore, this test mainly gives the doctor an idea of how well the kidneys work or filter the waste. In addition, a UPCR test is also done in patients undergoing kidney disorders to monitor whether the treatments are effective. However, a UPCR test is not solely used for diagnosis instead, it can be used along with other diagnostic tests to monitor the effectiveness of the treatments.
What Is Creatinine?
Creatinine is a waste product formed after muscle activity. The muscles metabolize and derive energy from creatine phosphate. The product formed after the metabolism is known as creatinine. Creatinine levels are directly proportional to the muscle mass of a person. The greater the muscle mass, the more creatinine levels will be. Therefore males tend to have more creatinine than females. Some of the causes of high creatine levels are listed below:
-
Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the filtration units of the kidneys).
-
Kidney stones.
-
Kidney infections.
-
Kidney failure.
-
High blood pressure.
-
Heart diseases.
-
Drug-induced nephrotoxicity.
-
Urinary tract obstruction.
-
Atherosclerosis.
-
Congestive heart failure.
What Is the Creatinine Clearance Test?
As the name suggests, a creatinine test measures the urine creatinine levels and the filtration efficiency of the kidneys. Sometimes, the doctor recommends this test and a blood urea nitrogen test as a part of the comprehensive metabolic panel. It is also included in the routine check-up of the patient. A creatinine clearance test is mainly done for the following reasons:
-
To reach the final diagnosis in case the patient suffers from kidney disease.
-
It is done as a screening test for patients with kidney disease due to diabetes, hypertension, and other underlying medical conditions.
-
To keep a check on the treatment and progression of kidney diseases.
-
To detect the side effects of the drug, including modifications in kidney function or kidney damage.
What Are Some of the Signs and Symptoms of High Creatinine Levels?
Some of the signs and symptoms of high creatine levels are listed below:
-
Reduced urine output.
-
Nausea.
-
Confusion.
-
Shortness of breath.
-
Weakness.
-
Fatigue.
-
Irregular heartbeat.
-
Chest pain.
-
Fever.
-
Chills.
-
Nausea and vomiting.
-
Foul-smelling urine.
-
Blurry vision.
-
Delayed wound healing.
When Is a UPCR Test Carried Out?
The doctor recommends this test to detect elevated protein levels in the urine, which is a sign of proteinuria. It is one of the most common symptoms of kidney disease. Hence, the patients might need a UPCR test during the routine physical examination or during pregnancy if the female presents with preeclampsia. In addition, the patient might need a UPCR to diagnose, monitor, and manage long-standing kidney diseases.
How Is the UPCR Test Carried Out?
The kidneys are one of the crucial organs of the urogenital tract that synthesizes the hormones required to maintain red blood cell levels. In addition, they regulate the fluid and electrolyte levels of the body. When the body cells use the nutrients as an energy source, they release the waste products into the bloodstream. When this waste blood enters the filtration units of the kidneys, all the required substances, including proteins, are retained in the body and sent back to the bloodstream. Proteins are considered the body's building blocks, so the kidneys reabsorb them. If the patient's kidneys do not function properly, the entire filtration procedure gets disturbed, resulting in the leakage of proteins in the urine. Therefore, a UPCR test is nothing but a kidney function test that identifies renal damage by measuring the protein levels in the urine. The test is considered accurate because it measures the protein and creatinine levels in a single urine sample.
How Should the Patient Prepare for the UPCR Test?
The patient is not required to make any special preparations before the procedure. The patient might be asked by the doctor to urinate in a container at the doctor's office. Sometimes the doctor might ask the patient to collect a urine sample for 24 hours. The laboratory technician examines this urine sample for the presence of proteins and creatinine. The test results can be availed within a week. The doctor might discuss the results with the patient and recommend the treatment if the protein and creatinine levels are elevated.
What Are Some of the Benefits of the UPCR Test?
A UPCR test is simple, non-invasive, painless, and quick. The main benefit of this procedure is that it allows the doctor to check for kidney disorders using a small amount of urine. The treatment can be immediately started if the patient suffers from minor kidney problems. Several tests are available to detect creatinine levels, including creatinine clearance and urine protein tests. However, these tests are solely used to measure creatinine levels over a prolonged period, mainly 24 hours. UPCR is considered a reliable and convenient test because protein and creatinine levels can be measured simultaneously using one urine sample.
What Do High Protein Levels in the Urine Indicate?
If the kidneys function appropriately, they eliminate 150 milligrams of proteins daily in the urine. Elevated protein levels in the urine mainly occur due to the following:
-
Dehydration.
-
Infections.
-
Pregnancy.
-
Stress.
-
Vigorous physical activities.
Patients with elevated protein levels in the urine for prolonged periods might suffer from kidney damage or disorders. In addition, increased protein levels can help the doctor diagnose diseases like diabetes or hypertension.
Conclusion
The urine protein creatinine ratio is most commonly measured in patients with kidney disorders because creatinine is the main culprit behind kidney disorders. Moreover, patients can easily undergo this test because it is simple and does not cause complications. Hence, the patient must consult the doctor and undergo the test at the earliest to get treated for kidney disorders.
