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Results
By Mayo Clinic staffResults of the microalbumin test are measured as milligrams (mg) of protein leakage. Generally:
- Less than 30 mg is normal.
- Thirty to 300 mg indicates early kidney disease (microalbuminuria).
- More than 300 mg indicates more advanced kidney disease (macroalbuminuria).
Keep in mind that target urinary microalbumin levels may change depending on many variables — including age, sex and testing method. It's also important to note that microalbumin levels can be affected by vigorous exercise, dehydration, blood in the urine, urinary tract infection and the use of certain drugs.
If your urinary microalbumin level is higher than normal, your doctor may want to confirm the results with a 24-hour urine test.
If kidney damage is a concern, your doctor may adjust your diabetes or high blood pressure treatment plan. Often an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) is prescribed to decrease the amount of protein in the urine. You can't undo kidney damage, but with appropriate treatment you may be able to prevent further damage.
- Microalbumin and microalbumin/creatinine ratio. American Association for Clinical Chemistry. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/microalbumin/multiprint.html. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- McCulloch DK. Overview of medical care in adults with diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 2, 2010.
- Rose BD, et al. Microalbuminuria and cardiovascular disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 2, 2010.
- Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your kidneys healthy. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC). http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications_kidneys/. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- Diabetes, kidney and cardiovascular disease. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3044857. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- Israni AK, et al. Laboratory assessment of kidney disease: Clearance, urinalysis, and kidney biopsy. In: Brenner BM, et al. Brenner & Rector's The Kidney. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:724.
- Kidney disease (nephropathy). American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/kidney-disease-nephropathy.html. Accessed June 8, 2010.
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