Microalbuminuria
Microalbuminuria - What is it and why is it important? The
most basic definition is that microalbuminuria is small amounts of
albumin in the urine. Albumin is a small protein. It is
important because if the kidneys are functioning at full capacity
there will be no albumin in the urine, so even small amounts are a
signal of actual kidney damage. If allowed to continue the
damage progresses to full proteinuria and on to kidney failure and
dialysis.
You should have a urine test checking for microalbuminuria at least
once a year.
If microalbuminuria is present there is treatment to possibly reverse it
or at least slow down the progression to kidney failure. The treatment
is: 1) strict control of blood sugar, 2) keeping blood pressure less than
130/80 and 3) use of medications called ACE Inhibitors or ARBs.