Incorporating the UTP test is recommended for early detection and monitoring of kidney disease, diabetes, and hypertension.

Urinary total protein - More than just protein...

The incorporation of the urinary total protein (UTP) test into diagnostic workflows is recommended for the early detection and monitoring of kidney diseases, diabetes, and hypertension. The detection of proteinuria, a key indicator of kidney function decline, is crucial for timely intervention. The UTP kit is capable of detecting various types of proteins in urine samples, which can aid in the diagnosis of conditions such as diabetes, cardiac disease, and glomerulonephritis. The UTP test's non-invasive nature renders it a valuable tool for guiding appropriate therapy.

Add this fast, non-invasive prognostic marker to your diagnostic workflow. Test urinary total protein to diagnose and monitor kidney diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Urinary total protein (UTP)

Urinary total protein (UTP) includes all proteins in urine samples. The presence of some quantities of proteins (<150 mg/day) is considered normal. However, the presence of elevated amounts of protein (>150 mg/day) in the excreted urine is called proteinuria.

The urinary total protein (UTP) kit detects the following types of proteins:

Macro proteins,
- such as Albumin, Immunoglobulins (IgG), Transferrin

Micro proteins,
- such as alpha-1-Microglobulin, beta-2-Microglobulin, Bence-Jones proteins*

(*Immunoglobulin light chain associated with multiple myeloma)
Besides detection of proteinuria, the UTP kit can also be used for the determination of total protein in other body fluids, such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Testing UTP is important

Testing UTP is important because, proteinuria is one of the earliest predictive marker of deteriorating kidney function. It is also important in the diagnosis of diseases associated with cardiac and thyroid function. The UTP test detects proteinuria non-invasively in order to guide the right therapy at the right time.

Disease conditions associated with proteinuria resulting from kidney damage as well as systemic diseases are listed in Table 1.

Table 1

Diabetes

Cardiac disease and hypertension

Glomerulonephritis

Systemic disorders (e.g. LN**, AAV***)

Infections

Myeloma

Pre-eclampsia

Exposure to drugs, toxins and metals

Stones in the urinary tract

Kidney transplant

Other kidney diseases

Table 1. Disease conditions associated with proteinuria (*Lupus Nephritis, **ANCA associated vasculitis)

These diseases are often characterized depending on the type of proteinuria, of which there are 4 main types (Table 2).

Type	Characteristics
Glomerular	increased glomerular permeability to protein
Tubular	decreased tubular reabsorption of proteins in glomerular filtrate
Pre-renal	increased plasma concentration of low molecular weight protein
Post-renal	abnormal secretion of protein into the urinary tract

Table 2. Types of proteinuria and their characteristics

Measure UTP as part of a routine physical exam

as a follow-up to a previous positive urine protein test, or when kidney disorder is suspected.

HUMAN's new urinary protein test

The test quantitatively measures total protein in human urine and CSF. The UTP test can be performed manually or on HUMAN's automated clinical chemistry HumaStar analyzers.

Reference ranges

Sample type	Conventional unit	SI unit
Random urine	<150 mg/l <220 mg/g Creatinine	<25 mg/mmol Creatinine
Collecting urine	<150 mg/24h	<150 mg/24h
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)	150 - 500 mg/l	150 - 500 mg/l