High Protein Levels- please help!!

Hi!! I'm 33 wks and my dr found high protein levels twice with the dipstick test. She ordered me the 24 hr urine test. I pee so frequently I could only do the test for 23 hours!! Is that going to mess up everything?? Am I going to have to redo the entire test??

Now for my other questions- I am SO nervous I have preeclampsia. My blood pressure has been fine & I feel ok. What can I expect from my doctor after I find out these results? If the levels are high, will I be high risk? Should I transfer to a stony brook doctor? I'm so nervous and my dr is not really keeping me well informed. I've been tryimng to research myself and it's just scaring me. Thanks!

Re: High Protein Levels- please help!!

I am confused by your first question. I am not understanding by the extra hour you have to miss. I think 23 hours would be okay. Or maybe your confused by the 24 hour test. I had the 24 hour test. I stayed home from work to do the test. First thing in the morning when I woke up, I collected my first urine in a huge container and you continue to collect the urine until the next morning when you wake up. Don't expect to go out long hours at a time unless you want to carry the container around. You have to place in the fridge or ice chest. I did the icechest. The next morning you have to drop it off at a lab. The whole process was disgusting.

I didn't have protein but I had high blood pressure which is why I had the test done. They cleared me of preclampsia. But, they still deemed me high risk due to high blood pressure, gestational diabetes and testing positive for ANA.

For high risk patients, they may have you come in weekly for a BPP Biophysical Profile. Basically, they hear the baby's heart rate, breathing, and look at the amniotic fluid.

Good Luck!

Message edited 8/9/2013 6:46:51 AM.

High Protein Levels- please help!!

Thanks!! I am not seeing a high risk doctor. I hope the test comes back fine so I don't have to switch.

I said "23 hrs" for the test because I first started the test at 4am. The label said I am supposed to do the last urine at the same time as when I started, 4am. I had to make my last urine at 3am because I had to pee SO bad. Does this make sense now? Did I do the test right?

Re: High Protein Levels- please help!!

you did the testing fine! BTW, I am not seeing a high risk doctor. Your obgyn should be able to handle your situation. MY obgyn does the BPP at their office.

eta:I reread your post that your doctor is not keeping you informed. Have questions ready for her. Be your own advocate. As far along as you are, I probably wouldn't switch unless she referred me to a different physician. But, i don't see how she wouldn't be able to handle your issues. I know every practice is different, but I am confident with my obgyn and their practice. Good Luck!

Message edited 8/9/2013 7:01:55 AM.

High Protein Levels- please help!!

Thanks!!! I just dropped the urine off at the lab and they also did bloodwork with it. I wasn't expecting that!! I hope I get the results soon!!

High Protein Levels- please help!!

i had to do the 24 hour after a high dipstick. it came back very bad (3x normal levels) and i was put on hospital bedrest. i was feeling great and had no BP issues. i ended up delivering 5 days later at 33w when my mild pre-e developed into HELLP syndrome.
pre-e can be very serious and the main dx is usually a high 24-hour protein (if you dont present with high BP). if you are dx with it, it can escalate very quickly and you would need to be closely monitored. in some cases (like mine) its more than just being high risk, you may need to be monitored in the hospital.
im not trying to scare you - mine was an extreme case and generally not the norm. but you should def know more after the results of the 24 hour are in. believe me, if your results are bad like mine, they will call you immediately. i was on the train at 8am the morning after i handed in the 24 hour, when i got the call that i had to go straight to the hospital!

Re: High Protein Levels- please help!!

Try not to worry. It sounds like your OB is on top of things.

And try not jumping to conclusions until you get the results back. High protein levels doesn't automatically mean pre-e. I had high protein levels my enitre pregnancy and it turned out to just be normal for me.

High Protein Levels- please help!!

Thank u all so much for your support!!! I have an appt already scheduled for Monday morning. It's just a regular visit presceduked w the NP but maybe they will have my test results. I will be sure to ask as many questions as possible. My first pregnancy was so perfect, I never thought anything could ever go wrong. I'll just pray for Mondays visit!

Re: High Protein Levels- please help!!

When I had to do the 24 hour test for preeclampsia my OBGYN called me with the results. I had to leave work immediately to be put on bed rest. If you have preeclampsia I would think your obgyn would call immediately.

Re: High Protein Levels- please help!!

Thanks for responding. What kind of symptoms were you having? And do u remember how long is took for your dr to get the results??

Re: High Protein Levels- please help!!

I had protein in my urine, and major eye problems. I started with halos, spots, floaters, double vision, and eventually lost partial sight in the middle of my field of vision. I also had a constant headache that did not go away until delivery. I had some swelling too. Thankfully my vision problems went away after delivery. I was on strict left side only bed rest until delivery. I was only permitted up to go to the bathroom, showers were only permitted every 3 days and only for 15 minutes. I was not even permitted to eat sitting up.