acute causes of albuminuria
What causes proteinuria? Proteinuria is the result of protein in the blood passing through the kidneys and into the urine. Diabetes and high blood pressure are common causes of proteinuria. Acute illness or dehydration can result in a transient increase in a urine protein measurement. The half-life of albumin is approximately 21 days, with a degradation rate of approximately 4% per day. Hypoalbuminemia is a common problem among persons with acute and chronic medical conditions. At the time of hospital admission, 20% of patients have hypoalbuminemia. Hypoalbuminemia can be caused by various conditions, including nephrotic syndrome, hepatic cirrhosis, heart failure, and malnutrition; however, most cases of hypoalbuminemia are caused by acute and chronic inflammatory responses. Serum albumin level is an important prognostic indicator. Proteinuria is protein, usually albumin, in urine. High concentrations of protein cause frothy or sudsy urine. In many renal disorders, proteinuria occurs with other urinary abnormalities (eg, hematuria). Isolated proteinuria is urinary protein without other symptoms or urinary abnormalities. Ascites is the build-up of fluid in the space between the lining of the abdomen and abdominal organs. Ascites results from high pressure in the blood vessels of the liver (portal hypertension) and low levels of a protein called albumin. Diseases that can cause severe liver damage can lead to ascites. These include long-term hepatitis C or B infection and alcohol abuse over many years. People with certain cancers in the abdomen may develop ascites. These include cancer of the appendix, colon, ovaries, uterus, pancreas, and liver. Other conditions that can cause this problem include: Clots in the veins of the liver (portal vein thrombosis) Proteinuria can be caused by a number of conditions or disorders of the kidney including: Damage to the kidneys from certain drugs or toxins such as heavy metals. Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the filtering structures of the kidneys) Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) or inflammation. The half-life of intravascular albumin is 16 hours. Daily losses of albumin from the intravascular space are approximately 10%. Certain pathological conditions, such as nephrosis, ascites, lymphedema, intestinal lymphangiectasia, and edema, can increase the daily loss of albumin from the plasma. Proteinuria caused by renal disorders usually is persistent (ie, present on serial testing) and, when in the nephrotic range, can cause significant protein wasting. Presence of protein in the urine is toxic to the kidneys and causes renal damage. Tubular proteinuria results from renal tubulointerstitial disorders that impair reabsorption of protein by the proximal tubule, causing proteinuria (mostly from smaller proteins such as immunoglobulin light chains rather than albumin). Although the glomerular basement membrane is a very effective barrier against larger molecules (eg, most plasma proteins, primarily albumin), a small amount of protein passes through the capillary basement membranes into the glomerular filtrate. 1 If you have liver problems that may have caused your hypoalbuminemia, you may notice that your abdomen is swollen with fluid (called, ascites).  Follow your healthcare provider's instructions regarding raising your blood albumin level. Treatments of low albumin levels are based on correcting the underlying cause.
Damage to the kidneys from certain drugs or toxins such as heavy metals. Glomerulonephritis,  Kidney infection or inflammation.