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Article: Laboratory evaluation of proteinuria.
- Article from:
- Medical Laboratory Observer
- Article date:
- November 1, 1999
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1999 Nelson Publishing. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Along with hematuria, proteinuria is the most common abnormality detected by urinalysis and is a hallmark of a number of renal diseases. However, protein can also be found in the urine of healthy individuals. Thus, the mere presence of protein in urine does not always indicate that disease is present and must be assessed. The laboratory is an invaluable asset to the clinician who is attempting to evaluate the significance of proteinuria. [1-3]
Because urine is produced in the kidney and is easily collected and abundant, it is a natural specimen for evaluation of renal diseases. Examination of urine is the oldest known in vitro analysis, dating to 600 BC when ...