Understanding Your Laboratory Test: What It Is, How It Works, and How to Get Ready
This test estimates how much protein is in your urine over 24 hours using a single urine sample, helping doctors monitor kidney function without a lengthy urine collection.
{"Predicts 24-hour protein excretion from a single urine sample","Helps diagnose and monitor kidney disease","Measures protein-to-creatinine ratio in urine","Avoids need for cumbersome 24-hour urine collection","Higher than normal levels may indicate kidney damage"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 96804-0
- Short code
- 24hr Prot Pred
- Synonyms
- 24H predicted prot mRatRange Ur Calc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Clean urine collection container or 24-hour urine collection container
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 30
- Ref high
- 300
- Critical range
- — – 3500 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- calculated
- CPT
- 82043
- SNOMED
- 313255003
- Specimen volume
- 10-20 mL for random sample; complete 24-hour collection for traditional method
- Stability
- Random urine: refrigerate if not processed within 24 hours; 24-hour collection: keep refrigerated throughout collection period
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test? This test is a laboratory measurement that helps your doctor check how your body is working and look for signs of illness or other health conditions that may need further attention.
The 24-hour predicted protein test estimates how much protein your kidneys are excreting in a 24-hour period by analyzing a single random urine sample. Normally, healthy kidneys filter waste from your blood while keeping important proteins in your bloodstream. When kidneys are damaged, protein leaks into urine. This test helps doctors detect and monitor kidney problems without requiring you to collect all urine for 24 hours.
How does it work? A small sample, usually blood or urine, is collected at a clinic or lab and analyzed with specialized equipment that measures the specific substances your care team wants to evaluate.
The test measures two substances in your urine: protein and creatinine. Creatinine is a waste product that muscles produce at a fairly constant rate. By comparing protein to creatinine (protein-to-creatinine ratio), doctors can estimate your 24-hour protein excretion. This calculation accounts for variations in urine concentration throughout the day.
How to prepare: Your doctor may ask you to fast for a set number of hours, avoid certain foods, drinks, or supplements, or temporarily hold some medications before the sample is collected, so follow the instructions you receive.
No special preparation is typically needed. You may be asked to provide a first-morning urine sample for most accurate results, as it's more concentrated. Inform your doctor about any medications you're taking, as some drugs can affect test results. Stay well-hydrated unless otherwise instructed.
Reference range
Normal: <150 mg/24 hours; Microalbuminuria: 30-300 mg/24 hours; Clinical proteinuria: >300 mg/24 hoursN/A
For predicted (random) method: collect random urine sample. For actual 24-hour collection: collect all urine for 24 hours in provided container, keep refrigerated during collection, record start and end times, inform patient to avoid strenuous exercise during collection period
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Elevated urine protein (proteinuria) can indicate kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, or other conditions affecting kidney function. Regular monitoring helps track disease progression and treatment effectiveness. Normal results typically show less than 150mg of protein per day. Higher levels may require further investigation and management.
Frequently asked questions
Why not just do a 24-hour urine collection?
Is protein in urine always serious?
What do the results mean?
Sources
- 1
- 2
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy