can semen affect 24-hour proteinuria count?

[expert@preeclampsia.org]

Hello, I was recently diagnosed with preeclampsia and put on bedrest. I feel fine but am pretty puffy and have some elevated BP's. I have never had even a trace of protein in my urine on my dips in the doctor's office but did a 24 hour and showed a significant amount. I was curious if seminal fluid that may have gotten in to my 24 hour urine could increase the proteinuria. I was really careful while obtaining all of the specimens for the urine but I just feel really good to be diagnosed with this.

[expert@preeclampsia.org]

A urine collection over 12 to 24 hours, if it shows a significant amount of protein, is far superior to the dipstick in the office--it is just a screen, it is step one, and the urine collection is step two. Seminal fluid should not be blamed for the proteinuria. Sounds like you have preeclampsia rather than post-coital issues.

[expert@preeclampsia.org]

No, seminal fluid will not increase a 24 hour urine protein. You can have a negative urine dip for protein (which measures concentration) and a positive 24 hour urine if you drink a lot of water and have a very dilute urine. The 24 hour urine will be more accurate.

Your doctor seems to be taking these results seriously which is appropriate.