Your kidneys are one of the major organs in your body that keep you alive and well. Their major function is to get rid of waste and extra water from your body by acting like a coffee filter. They filter your blood to get rid of waste by making urine. Your kidneys also do other important things such as help control your blood pressure.
Albumin is a protein that is normally found in your blood and not normally found in your urine. The urinary microalbumin test is able to measure very small amounts (micro-) of albumin that can leak into the urine.
If albumin is in the urine, even in small amounts, then you may have kidney damage. You can think of kidney damage as a ripped coffee filter which allows coffee grounds into your
coffee. This damage may be caused by high blood pressure or high blood sugar levels, both of which can cause tissue damage.
Measuring your urinary microalbumin levels can help your doctor know if you are at risk for kidney disease which can lead to kidney failure, or the inability of your kidneys to work.
If your doctor finds out that albumin is leaking into your urine, this may be a sign that there is damage to other tissues in your body including your arteries. This may put you at a higher risk for heart disease.
Your urinary microalbumin levels should be checked at the same time your doctor runs other tests, such as a cholesterol test. If your level is high, your doctor may want to repeat
the test. High urinary microalbumin levels may be seen in pregnancy, following exercise, or in people with high blood sugar levels, fever or urinary tract infections.
The urinary microalbumin test does not require any special preparation. You do not need to be fasting, and can be taking medications. It is best if you have the urinary microalbumin test done in the morning.
Two major factors that contribute to high urinary microalbumin levels are high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels. Therefore, it is important that you work with your doctor to develop a plan to lower these, whether this is through lifestyle changes or medication.
