Being Kind to Your Kidneys: Kidney Function Tests

By Amy Campbell A big part of "being kind" to your kidneys is taking charge early on. In discussing diabetes, we often talk about "knowing your numbers," such as your A1C and blood pressure. These are important numbers, of course, but what's often overlooked is your kidney numbers. These numbers may or may not be something that your doctor talks to you about — if you don't know about your kidney test results, ask! In the meantime, here's a rundown of some common tests, often called kidney function tests, that you should be familiar with. Microalbumin test The microalbumin test is a urine test that checks for very small (micro) amounts of protein called albumin in your urine. The microalbumin test may also be called a: • Urine albumin test • Albumin-to-creatinine ratio • Microalbumin-to-creatinine ratio You may be asked to give a random urine sample or a timed urine sample (such as overnight), or you may be asked to collect your urine over a 24-hour period. (A microalbumin test is not the same as a routine urine dipstick test, by the way). It's recommended that everyone with diabetes have a microalbumin test done at least once a year. Have you had yours yet? Protein in the urine can signify several things, including kidney damage from uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure, liver disease, heart failure, and lupus. It can also occur due to strenuous exercise, blood in the urine, urinary tract infections, and certain medications, like aspirin and some...
Source: Diabetes Self-Management - Category: Diabetes Authors: Source Type: blogs