High Protein levels in urine

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What else could be a cause of protein in the urine besides kidney disease, diabetes or Lupus?

My 14 year old niece had to go for a physical today for softball. They found extremely high amounts of protein in her urine. They first found a trace in 2002, it doubled in 2003 and it's now 4 times that amount. He said he's never seen such a high amount of protein in the urine of someone her age. That seems like such an extreme statement for him to make.

WHY didn't they look into it more when it doubled back in 2003?

She's always been very active in sports and has always been healthy, so this has us all worried now. Especially because of what the doctor said.

The doctor is calling Monday to set her up an appt with a Nephrologist.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

The Nephrologist appt sounds like a good idea. Hopefully then it can get addressed and you can have some answers.

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Specializes in Med-surg, Critical Care.
What else could be a cause of protein in the urine besides kidney disease, diabetes or Lupus?

My 14 year old niece had to go for a physical today for softball. They found extremely high amounts of protein in her urine. They first found a trace in 2002, it doubled in 2003 and it's now 4 times that amount. He said he's never seen such a high amount of protein in the urine of someone her age. That seems like such an extreme statement for him to make.

WHY didn't they look into it more when it doubled back in 2003?

She's always been very active in sports and has always been healthy, so this has us all worried now. Especially because of what the doctor said.

The doctor is calling Monday to set her up an appt with a Nephrologist.

I had this happen once, discovered during an annual gyn exam. Wasn't a large amount of protein, but high enough to take notice. Had a repeat U/A and turns out it was because of strenuous exercise I'd done the morning of my dr's appt. Doc said this can happen in normal, healthy individuals; the kidneys just excrete more protein during & after exercise. I wasn't allowed to exercise up to two days before my follow-up. Fixed the problem.

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Specializes in Med-surg > LTC > HH >.

So sorry I don't know what her diagnosis could be, but please let us know what it ends up being and we'll keep her in our thoughts.

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Besides the exercise, what kind of diet is she eating? If she is eating a low carb diet, with a lot of protein, maybe that could be causing it. Of course, Nephrology MD appointment.

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Besides the exercise, what kind of diet is she eating? If she is eating a low carb diet, with a lot of protein, maybe that could be causing it. Of course, Nephrology MD appointment.

She's 14, 5'7" and 124 lbs. She eats a very HIGH carb diet. A lot of pastas. I'll find out if she had done any exercise before her appt. It's just odd that the levels have been going up the past few years. :o

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Specializes in heading for NICU.

Has she ever been screened for Diabetes? Diabetic Nephropathy can develop as a result of diabetes that causes high levels of Protein in the Urine.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

I dont know that this is it however, i do know that a lot of the competative sports coaches in high school are encouraging the kids to take creatine to help them build muscle. Is she doing a fitness PE or other weight lifting at school?

For some reason these coaches think these supplements are actually good for kids. I went through something similar with my son and football, luckily i got it stopped before it went to far. As usual, boys tend not to flush and i noticed that his urine was very cloudy even with the large amounts of water he was drinking. Turns out the coach was actually buying for the kids (a supplier of sorts). I took care of it in short order and gald i did. Before it was my kid that had his kidneys burned out before he got out of high school. I have since heard this newest coach is encouraging the kids again, but at least its not my kids this time. Hopefully those other parents will take note and take care of the situation too.

That may not be the case but it warrents some investigation and questions maybe. I hope she isnt.

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She doesn't take any supplements, creatine, etc. She's just a normal teen that eats a bunch of junk food and pastas. She used to be HIGHLY active in softball, but has dropped it this year. She's wanting to start back up though I guess...hence the physical appt.

She has frequent nosebleeds (has since she was about 7) and huge ankles. My sister heard that those can be signs of kidney disease.

Yesterday when she had her test, she had not gone to school that day (teachers work day). My sister said Chelsea (my niece) had been in bed all day up until time to go to the doctors.

I'm just worried and MAD that the doctor didn't foolow up in 2003 when the amount had doubled. He didn't even mention it to my sister. She said that yesterday was the first time he told her that protein showed up in 2001 and then again in 2003. :devil:

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Has she ever been screened for Diabetes? Diabetic Nephropathy can develop as a result of diabetes that causes high levels of Protein in the Urine.

Wouldn't that have shown up in bloodwork in the past? And wouldn't she have had other symptoms besides nosebleeds and swollen ankles?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

You have received some good input. Let's see what the doc says. Keep us posted with the results.

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Hi,

Good idea she is seeing a nephrologist. If needed they will probably do a kidney biopsy if they suspect kidney damage due to Lupus, etc. Hopefully, nothing serious is going on. Good luck

Katheriner

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