Micro-Protein:
Why Micro-Protein Test?
CLINICAL INFORMATION
Albumin is a blood protein present in the body. It is used for cell growth and for tissue repair. Usually, albumin is not excreted in the urine, while in certain abnormal conditions the low molecular weight albumin tends to get excreted in pathologies related to kidneys known as albuminuria. Healthy kidneys do not excrete any proteins, because the molecular weight of proteins is much higher than the pore size of the glomerular filters in the kidneys (nephrons). But when the kidneys are exposed to any pathologies then the kidneys tend to excrete protein in the urine that is most often referred to as micro-albuminuria sometimes also called proteinuria. A Complete Urine test is also called a Urinalysis or Urine Analysis (UA). The test principle of this test is to analyze the physical (Color, Appearance, pH level), chemical (Protein, Sugar, and Ketones) properties and microscopic (Red Blood cells, Pus cells and other microbes) analysis in a patient’s urine sample specimen. This test measures the various components of urine for detecting systemic pathologies, kidney associated diseases such as Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) etc. Urinalysis is indicated in certain pathological conditions such as reduction in urine volume (scanty urine), itching during micturition, frequent burning micturition, the urgency with the incomplete evacuation of urine, change in the normal colour of urine, dribbling or the dripping of urine, loss of urine stream, incontinence etc. Some of the possible infections are interstitial cystitis, pyelonephritis (UTI ascending to kidneys causing the infection), renal lithiasis, calculi in the urinary bladder, kidney failure etc. Other associated diseases that may require urinalysis are diabetes, STDs, certain cancers etc. In case of abnormal urine e.g. Cloudy or milky urine in urinary tract infections (foul smell) and or filariasis (chyluria – block in lymphatic circulation resulting in excretion of lymph in urine), alkaptonuria (black urine due to homogenetic acid - an inborn errors of metabolism), maple syrup urine disease (high keto acids in urine). Moreover, this test includes all routine biochemical tests and also microscopic examination for fats, crystals (stones or calculi), casts, WBCs or RBCs and /or mucus in urine. The liver synthesizes the proteins required for the body (eg. enzymes, hormones etc) from the food we consume. If the result indicates an abnormal amount of albumin levels (usually hypoproteinemia), it may suggest nutrient deficiency or pathologies related to the liver or kidneys. This albuminuria test also known as the Micro-protein test checks the levels of albumin in the suspected urine sample specimen of the patient. Micro-albumin test screens to detect early signs of kidney damage in patients who are at risk of developing kidney pathologies. Furthermore, the urinary proteins in the urine reflect either kidney pathologies and/or cancers such as plasma cells i.e WBCs (referred to as Bence Jones protein). Bence Jones Protein – Protein is a monoclonal globulin protein or immunoglobulin light chain found in urine. Bence Jones protein test is useful in screening for the diagnosis of multiple myeloma (malignant lymphoma affecting plasma cells producing antibodies in bones) or Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. When multiple myeloma in bones replaces normal bone marrow, it causes anaemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia and damages the kidneys also increases the risk of amyloidosis. Test for Bence Jones proteins is suggested for patients with symptoms such as bone pain or frequent fractures, high blood calcium, low blood profile of RBC, WBC and platelets. CNS related issues, weakness and swelling of legs and high incidence of infections. Proteins required for the body are synthesized by the liver. Hence the liver function is monitored by an albumin blood test. This serum albumin test helps to diagnose conditions such as liver disorders, kidney dysfunction etc. This test evaluates albumin levels to screen for liver, kidney associated diseases, malnutrition and other related disorders. Tests for Bence Jones protein include Heat test, Immuno-fixation and protein electrophoresis. Heat test: urine sample when heated forms precipitate and on higher temperatures dissolves and become clear urine is a simple screening test. Immuno-fixation (IFE) and protein electrophoresis on 24 hours urine is performed for confirmation. Additional confirmatory tests (such as enzyme assays, molecular analysis, etc) as a support and to rule out another differential diagnosis. Other tests include PCR, ELISA, blotting techniques, liquid chromatography – Tandem Mass Spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS)
General Instructions:
Sample Requirement: Specimen - Urine Sample. Test Preparation: None.
NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presenting complaints/signs or symptoms:
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.
This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory RT DIAGNOSTICS provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centres to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.
