What is the reason for the plus sign in urine protein?
Recently, the issue of "urinary protein with a plus sign" in health examinations has become a hot topic on the Internet. Many people find that urine protein shows a "+" sign in their physical examination report, but they do not know the reasons and potential risks behind it. This article will combine the hot discussions and medical knowledge on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with a detailed analysis of the possible causes, related diseases, and countermeasures for proteinuria.
1. The meaning of urine protein plus sign

Urine protein detection is an important item in routine urine examination. The "+" sign indicates the concentration of protein in urine. More plus signs usually indicate higher levels of protein in the urine. The following are common urine protein plus levels and their corresponding meanings:
| Plus level | Urine protein content (mg/dL) | clinical significance |
|---|---|---|
| ± | 10-20 | Microalbuminuria, need to be reviewed |
| + | 30-100 | mild proteinuria |
| ++ | 100-300 | moderate proteinuria |
| +++ | 300-1000 | severe proteinuria |
| ++++ | >1000 | Very severe proteinuria |
2. Common causes of proteinuria with a plus sign
According to recent discussions on medical forums and health platforms, the causes of positive urine protein can be divided into two categories: physiological and pathological:
1. Physiological reasons (transient proteinuria)
• After strenuous exercise
• High protein diet
• Fever or cold irritation
• Pregnancy (common in late pregnancy)
• Mental stress
2. Pathological causes
| disease type | common diseases | Proportion (clinical statistics) |
|---|---|---|
| kidney disease | Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, diabetic nephropathy, etc. | about 65% |
| systemic disease | Hypertension, diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, etc. | about 25% |
| urinary tract disease | Urinary tract infection, prostatitis, urinary tract stones, etc. | about 10% |
3. Related topics that have been hotly discussed on the Internet recently
1.The positive rate of urine protein among young people increases: Data from multiple health platforms show that the proportion of abnormal urine protein among people aged 20-35 has increased by 15% compared with previous years, which may be related to bad living habits such as staying up late and eating high-salt foods.
2.Abnormal urine protein after recovery from COVID-19: Some people who have recovered from COVID-19 have reported temporary positive urine protein, and experts recommend regular reexamination.
3.Controversy over physical examination package selection: Netizens have quite different opinions on whether urine routine should be included in basic physical examination items.
4. Symptom combinations that require vigilance
When positive urine protein is accompanied by the following symptoms, you need to seek medical attention immediately:
| accompanying symptoms | possible disease | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Edema (especially eyelids and lower limbs) | nephrotic syndrome | ★★★ |
| increased blood pressure | Hypertensive nephropathy | ★★★ |
| Frequent urination, urgent urination, painful urination | urinary tract infection | ★★ |
| Polydipsia and polyuria | diabetes | ★★★ |
5. Countermeasures and suggestions
1.Review and confirm: If urine protein is found to be positive for the first time, it should be reexamined 1-2 weeks apart to rule out physiological factors.
2.further inspection: Including 24-hour urine protein quantification, renal function test, renal B-ultrasound, etc.
3.lifestyle adjustments:
• Control salt intake (<6g per day)
• Moderate protein intake (0.8-1g/kg body weight)
• Avoid staying up late and overexerting yourself
4.Specialist consultation: If it continues to be positive or is accompanied by other symptoms, you should go to the nephrology department in time.
6. Answers to recent frequently asked questions from netizens
Q: Does urine protein 1+ require treatment?
A: A simple 1+ with no other abnormalities can be observed first. If it persists, further examination is required.
Q: Will urine protein increase after exercise?
A: Strenuous exercise may cause temporary proteinuria. It is recommended to rest for 48 hours before rechecking.
Q: What should I do if children have positive urine protein?
A: Children need to pay special attention to it. It may be an early manifestation of nephritis. It is recommended to see a pediatrician.
From the above analysis, it can be seen that increased proteinuria may be caused by a variety of factors. There is no need to panic excessively, nor can it be completely ignored. Regular physical examinations, scientific interpretation of reports, and timely medical consultation are the keys to maintaining kidney health. The recent hot discussion on the Internet also reflects the public's increased attention to health indicators, and correct understanding of physical examination results is of great significance for disease prevention.
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