Classification of proteinuria | Clinical setting | Typical level of proteinuria in adults | Predominant protein type |
Transient proteinuria | Fever, heavy exercise, vasopressor infusion, albumin infusion | <1 g/day | Albumin |
Persistent proteinuria – orthostatic proteinuria | Uncommon over age 30 years, may occur in 2 to 5% of adolescents | <1 to 2 g/day | Albumin |
Persistent proteinuria – overflow proteinuria | Myeloma (monoclonal light chains), hemolysis (hemoglobinuria), rhabdomyolysis (myoglobinuria) | Variable, could be nephrotic range | Nonalbumin |
Persistent proteinuria – glomerular proteinuria | Primary glomerular diseases, secondary glomerular diseases, diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephrosclerosis | Variable, often nephrotic range | Albumin |
Persistent proteinuria – tubulointerstitial proteinuria | Heavy metal intoxications, autoimmune or allergic interstitial inflammation, medication-induced interstitial injury | <3 g/day | Nonalbumin |
Post-renal proteinuria | Urinary tract infections, nephrolithiasis, genitourinary tumor | <1 g/day | Nonalbumin |