In glomerulonephritis, proteinuria is typically which of the following?

• A. Less than 3 g/day
• B. 3-5 g/day
• C. Greater than 5 g/day
• D. Nephrotic-range proteinuria

Answer: (A)

In glomerulonephritis, protein leakage is usually subnephrotic, meaning the amount of protein lost in the urine is below the nephrotic threshold. Nephrotic-range proteinuria is defined as about 3.5 g per day or more and comes with edema, hypoalbuminemia, and lipid abnormalities—features of nephrotic syndrome rather than the classic nephritic/glomerulonephritis picture. So the typical value is less than about 3 g/day. If proteinuria were in the 3–5 g/day range or higher, that would indicate nephrotic-range proteinuria, which is not the usual presentation for glomerulonephritis.