What is classified as clinical proteinuria?

Clinical proteinuria is defined as the presence of a significant amount of protein in the urine, indicating a potential kidney issue or other health conditions. A threshold of 30 mg/dl is commonly established in clinical practice as the level at which proteinuria is considered to be clinically significant. Below this level, the presence of protein may not indicate a pathological condition and often falls within the normal range for protein excretion.

When protein concentration in urine exceeds 30 mg/dl, it typically shows that the kidneys are not filtering proteins correctly, which can be associated with various disorders, including nephrotic syndrome, diabetes, or hypertension. Therefore, the 30 mg/dl threshold serves as an important marker in clinical assessments for kidney function and overall health. This focus on the level of 30 mg/dl is critical in diagnostic procedures, emphasizing the need to monitor patients for significant proteinuria as a sign of underlying issues that may require further investigation or treatment.