What is the microalbumin test?
This test measures the amount of a protein called
microalbumin in your urine.
Why is this test done?
This test is done to check for early signs of kidney damage,
especially if you have diabetes.
Your kidneys filter your blood. They remove waste material
from the blood to produce urine. Normally, only very tiny
substances can pass through the kidneys into the urine.
Larger, important substances in your blood, such as
proteins, usually cannot pass through the filters. As the
kidneys get rid of waste products, they conserve important
substances such as proteins.
When the kidneys are diseased or damaged, the larger
substances can pass into the urine. Microalbumin is one of
the first important larger substances to show up in the
urine. For this reason, microalbumin is a good screening
test for early kidney disease.
How do I prepare for this test?
No special preparation is needed for this test.
How is the test done?
A random microalbumin test measures the amount of
microalbumin in single sample of urine. You simply urinate
into a cup given to you. A machine in the lab then tests
the sample.
A total microalbumin test measures the total amount of
microalbumin in all of the urine your body produces in 24
hours. For a total microalbumin test, you need to collect
and save all of the urine you make in 24 hours.
How will I get the test result?
Ask your heath care provider when and how you will get the
result of your test.
What does the test result mean?
When your kidneys are healthy, very little microalbumin is
present in the urine. The level of microalbumin in your
urine may be higher than normal because you are developing
kidney disease or damage. The more microalbumin you have in
your urine, the more severely damaged your kidneys are.
What if my test result is not normal?
Test results are only one part of a larger picture that
takes into account your medical history and current health.
Sometimes a test needs to be repeated to check the first
result. Or your provider may order other tests to check
your kidney function if the microalbumin is high. Talk to
your provider about your result and ask what it means for
you.
If your test results is not normal, ask your health care
provider:
- if you need additional tests
- what you can do to work toward a normal value
- when you need to be tested again.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2005 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.
This
information is approved and/or reviewed by U-M Health System providers
but it is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for medical
treatment. You should speak to your physician or make
an appointment to be seen if you have questions or concerns about
this information or your medical condition.