Microalbuminuria test

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This test looks for a protein called albumin in a urine sample.

See also: Urine albumin

You may be asked to give a small sample of urine while at your doctor's office.

You may have to collect all of your urine at home. This may be for 4 hours, overnight, or 24 hours. To do this, you will use a container with a cap. You will get this from your doctor. You may also need to have blood tests to look for kidney damage.

No special preparation is necessary for this test.

You will urinate normally for this test. There is no discomfort.

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Anyone with diabetes should have this test yearly. The test checks for signs of early kidney problems.

People with diabetes have a higher risk of kidney damage. In the early stages of kidney problems, you may have no other symptoms. Even other blood tests may be normal.

Your doctor will want to see if you have any kidney damage before it has become very bad. This helps you get treatment before the problem gets worse. People with worse kidney damage may need dialysis. They may even need a new kidney.

If you have diabetes, make sure you are following your diet. Take your insulin or other drugs the right way. You also need to be more active to prevent more damage.

Review Date: 04/26/2011
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine (10/8/2010).

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).