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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffA urine microalbumin test reveals important information about your kidneys.
Healthy kidneys filter waste products from your blood. If your kidneys become damaged, some of these waste products may remain in your blood. At the same time, a type of protein called albumin — which should stay in your blood — leaks into your urine. The microalbumin test detects this protein. Often, an elevated microalbumin level is the first sign of kidney damage.
Regular urine microalbumin tests are often recommended for people who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Urine microalbumin tests are also recommended for people who have high blood pressure (hypertension). Both diabetes and high blood pressure can damage the kidneys.
