Microalbumin

One common and extremely serious result of diabetes is kidney failure. Under normal conditions, the kidneys filter toxins from the blood. When the kidney's filtering processes begin to become impaired, protein (microalbumin) begins to spill into the urine. Testing urine for small, yet abnormal amounts of albumin (microabluminuria) is a common way to detect this condition early, before it can damage your kidneys.

Many urine dipsticks are used to test for large amounts of albumin. To measure a small amount of albumin, which may show an early stage of kidney disease, your health care provider may use specific tests for low levels of albumin (microalbumin tests). To do this test, you may have to collect your urine for several 24-hour periods.

The ADA recommends that adults with diabetes be tested for microalbumin every 3- to 6-months. The ADA recommends testing in children with type 1 diabetes at puberty or after having diabetes for 5 years.

Early detection of microalbumin is important because it indicates increased risk for both renal and vascular disease. Fortunately, early detection allows for treatments that may delay the beginning of a more serious disease.