Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Microalbuminuriais when a small amount of protein calledalbuminis present in your urine. It is discovered through a urine test. Microalbuminuria indicates that yourkidneysaren’t functioning optimally and can sometimes be a sign ofkidney disease. It also is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In the United States, microalbuminuria is thought to affect roughly 4.6% of the general population.
Microalbuminuria is less serious thanalbuminuria. Albuminuria means you have too much albumin in your urine. It is a sign of more significant kidney disease.
Your healthcare provider may order a microalbuminuria test if you have diabetes or high blood pressure. This is because people with these conditions are at greater risk for developing kidney disease.
This article discusses microalbuminuria, its causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee
Symptoms of Microalbuminuria
Usually, microalbuminuria does not cause any symptoms. It can, however, be one of the earliest ways to detect kidney disease.Kidney damage may become significant (and not easily reversed) before a person notices any symptoms. This is part of why it is important for people at risk of kidney disease to have the test repeatedly so that treatment can begin if necessary.
If microalbuminuria goes undiagnosed, your albumin levels will continue to rise. One of the symptoms you might notice when this happens is foamy urine. Kidney damage can also cause swelling of the hands, ankles, face, or abdomen.
Causes of Microalbuminuria
In industrialized nations, diabetes is the number one cause of microalbuminuria.
Tests to Diagnose Microalbuminuria
Microalbuminuria is diagnosed based on laboratory urine tests that might be performed along with a standard medical exam. Usually, you won’t need to do anything special to prepare for the test.
There are three different versions of the test that can be used:
Screening MethodAbnormal Result24-hour collection30 to 300 mg per 24 hours4-hour collection20 to 200 mcgSpot result30 to 300 mg per gramThe urine test for albumin is often performed with another urine test, called a creatinine urine test. This sample can help the lab technicians estimate the amount of albumin in your urine over 24 hours, even if you haven’t collected your urine over that whole time.It’s important not to confuse urine albumin tests withblood tests for albumin. Results from blood albumin tests give some different information about potential health problems than urine albumin tests.Who Needs Urine Tests to Detect Microalbuminuria?Microalbuminuria is often the first detectable sign of early kidney disease. People who are at risk of kidney disease may need to have regular urine tests for microalbuminuria. This might apply to you if you havehigh blood pressure, type 1 or type 2 diabetes,heart disease, obesity ormetabolic syndrome, other medical conditions that increase the risk of kidney disease (like lupus), and/or a family history of kidney disease.You also might need to have tests for microalbuminuria if you already know that you have kidney disease.This can help your healthcare providers monitor your condition and see how it is responding to treatment.Misleading ResultsIt’s important to note that a single medical test result indicating microalbuminuria does not necessarily mean that you have a problem with your kidneys. Healthcare providers usually require a few different urine tests showing microalbuminuria over a couple of months before they officially diagnose microalbuminuria as a medical condition.That’s because certain factors can increase the amount of albumin in your urine temporarily. These might include dehydration, fever, recent intense exercise, or urinary tract infection.As always, your clinician will try to interpret any laboratory results with your other medical information to get an overall impression of your health.TreatmentDifferent treatments are available to address microalbuminuria. The best treatments for you may depend on the underlying causes, your other medical conditions, and other factors like your age and sex.Lifestyle InterventionsLifestyle interventions are an important part of treatment. These might include making dietary changes (such as reducing sugar and foods high in simple carbohydrates) as well as reducing salt intake and increasing exercise.Many people find it helpful to work with a registered dietitian who can provide guidance about the best way to design your meals and promote weight loss if needed.MedicationsTreatment might also include medications such as:Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitorslike lisinopril)Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs like losartan)Other blood pressure medicationsMedications for diabetes if needed (like metformin)In general, if you have medical conditions that may be worsening your kidney function (like diabetes), it’s helpful to get those under better control.Treatment GoalsTreatment goals will depend on your specific situation. In some cases, after treatment, you may no longer show signs of microalbuminuria. This is a good sign that you are helping to prevent kidney damage over the long term.In other cases, the goal might be to stop microalbuminuria from worsening. Your kidneys might already have a certain amount of damage that can’t be healed. But it’s important to work with your treatment team to prevent your microalbuminuria from worsening. Taking steps to treat your condition now may help you avoid severe kidney disease, which may later require dialysis or kidney transplantation.Microalbuminuria and Cardiovascular DiseaseMicroalbuminuria is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which in some people might lead to a heart attack or stroke. Microalbuminuria itself isn’t thought to cause those problems directly; it’s just an indicator.Not everyone with microalbuminuria will have those issues, but it does somewhat increase your risk.However, some of the treatments to reduce albuminuria may also help reduce this risk. That’s another good reason to look at your whole health overall with your healthcare provider to see how you can act in terms of prevention.SummaryMicroalbuminuria means you have a small amount of a protein called albumin in your urine. Microalbuminuria can be an early sign of kidney disease, though it is not as serious as albuminuria.Microalbuminuria usually does not have any symptoms, which is why your healthcare provider might want to screen you for the condition, especially if you have risk factors like hypertension or diabetes. If you have microalbuminuria, early treatment can help prevent you from developing more serious kidney damage. Treatments may include medications and lifestyle changes such as exercise and a low-sugar, low-salt diet.Addressing the root causes of microalbuminuria may help you lower your risk of serious cardiovascular events, like heart attack and stroke. Work closely with your health team to find the best ways to protect your kidneys and your overall health.
The urine test for albumin is often performed with another urine test, called a creatinine urine test. This sample can help the lab technicians estimate the amount of albumin in your urine over 24 hours, even if you haven’t collected your urine over that whole time.
It’s important not to confuse urine albumin tests withblood tests for albumin. Results from blood albumin tests give some different information about potential health problems than urine albumin tests.
Who Needs Urine Tests to Detect Microalbuminuria?
Microalbuminuria is often the first detectable sign of early kidney disease. People who are at risk of kidney disease may need to have regular urine tests for microalbuminuria. This might apply to you if you havehigh blood pressure, type 1 or type 2 diabetes,heart disease, obesity ormetabolic syndrome, other medical conditions that increase the risk of kidney disease (like lupus), and/or a family history of kidney disease.
You also might need to have tests for microalbuminuria if you already know that you have kidney disease.
This can help your healthcare providers monitor your condition and see how it is responding to treatment.
Misleading Results
It’s important to note that a single medical test result indicating microalbuminuria does not necessarily mean that you have a problem with your kidneys. Healthcare providers usually require a few different urine tests showing microalbuminuria over a couple of months before they officially diagnose microalbuminuria as a medical condition.
That’s because certain factors can increase the amount of albumin in your urine temporarily. These might include dehydration, fever, recent intense exercise, or urinary tract infection.
As always, your clinician will try to interpret any laboratory results with your other medical information to get an overall impression of your health.
Different treatments are available to address microalbuminuria. The best treatments for you may depend on the underlying causes, your other medical conditions, and other factors like your age and sex.
Lifestyle Interventions
Lifestyle interventions are an important part of treatment. These might include making dietary changes (such as reducing sugar and foods high in simple carbohydrates) as well as reducing salt intake and increasing exercise.
Many people find it helpful to work with a registered dietitian who can provide guidance about the best way to design your meals and promote weight loss if needed.
Medications
Treatment might also include medications such as:
In general, if you have medical conditions that may be worsening your kidney function (like diabetes), it’s helpful to get those under better control.
Treatment Goals
Treatment goals will depend on your specific situation. In some cases, after treatment, you may no longer show signs of microalbuminuria. This is a good sign that you are helping to prevent kidney damage over the long term.
In other cases, the goal might be to stop microalbuminuria from worsening. Your kidneys might already have a certain amount of damage that can’t be healed. But it’s important to work with your treatment team to prevent your microalbuminuria from worsening. Taking steps to treat your condition now may help you avoid severe kidney disease, which may later require dialysis or kidney transplantation.
Microalbuminuria and Cardiovascular Disease
Microalbuminuria is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which in some people might lead to a heart attack or stroke. Microalbuminuria itself isn’t thought to cause those problems directly; it’s just an indicator.
Not everyone with microalbuminuria will have those issues, but it does somewhat increase your risk.However, some of the treatments to reduce albuminuria may also help reduce this risk. That’s another good reason to look at your whole health overall with your healthcare provider to see how you can act in terms of prevention.
Summary
Microalbuminuria means you have a small amount of a protein called albumin in your urine. Microalbuminuria can be an early sign of kidney disease, though it is not as serious as albuminuria.
Microalbuminuria usually does not have any symptoms, which is why your healthcare provider might want to screen you for the condition, especially if you have risk factors like hypertension or diabetes. If you have microalbuminuria, early treatment can help prevent you from developing more serious kidney damage. Treatments may include medications and lifestyle changes such as exercise and a low-sugar, low-salt diet.
Addressing the root causes of microalbuminuria may help you lower your risk of serious cardiovascular events, like heart attack and stroke. Work closely with your health team to find the best ways to protect your kidneys and your overall health.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tanaka S, Takase H, Dohi Y, Kimura G.The prevalence and characteristics of microalbuminuria in the general population: a cross-sectional study.BMC Res Notes. 2013;6:256. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-6-256Waghmare P, Goswami K.Microalbuminuria: A mere marker or an ominous sign?J Assoc Physicians India. 2016;64(3):61-65.Qin S, Wang A, Gu S, et al.Association between obesity and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio in the middle-aged and elderly population of Southern and Northern China: a cross-sectional study.BMJ Open. 2021;11(1):e040214. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040214Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic kidney disease in the United States.Denhez B, Geraldes P.Regulation of nephrin phosphorylation in diabetes and chronic kidney injury.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2017;966:149-161. doi:10.1007/5584_2017_62Shin JI, Chang AR, Grams ME, et al.CKD Prognosis Consortium. Albuminuria testing in hypertension and diabetes: An individual-participant data meta-analysis in a global consortium.Hypertension. 2021;78(4):1042-1052. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.121.17323National Kidney Foundation.Urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases.Albuminuria: albumin in the urine.Chen TK, Knicely DH, Grams ME.Chronic kidney disease diagnosis and management: a review.JAMA. 2019;322(13):1294-1304. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.14745
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tanaka S, Takase H, Dohi Y, Kimura G.The prevalence and characteristics of microalbuminuria in the general population: a cross-sectional study.BMC Res Notes. 2013;6:256. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-6-256Waghmare P, Goswami K.Microalbuminuria: A mere marker or an ominous sign?J Assoc Physicians India. 2016;64(3):61-65.Qin S, Wang A, Gu S, et al.Association between obesity and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio in the middle-aged and elderly population of Southern and Northern China: a cross-sectional study.BMJ Open. 2021;11(1):e040214. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040214Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic kidney disease in the United States.Denhez B, Geraldes P.Regulation of nephrin phosphorylation in diabetes and chronic kidney injury.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2017;966:149-161. doi:10.1007/5584_2017_62Shin JI, Chang AR, Grams ME, et al.CKD Prognosis Consortium. Albuminuria testing in hypertension and diabetes: An individual-participant data meta-analysis in a global consortium.Hypertension. 2021;78(4):1042-1052. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.121.17323National Kidney Foundation.Urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases.Albuminuria: albumin in the urine.Chen TK, Knicely DH, Grams ME.Chronic kidney disease diagnosis and management: a review.JAMA. 2019;322(13):1294-1304. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.14745
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Tanaka S, Takase H, Dohi Y, Kimura G.The prevalence and characteristics of microalbuminuria in the general population: a cross-sectional study.BMC Res Notes. 2013;6:256. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-6-256Waghmare P, Goswami K.Microalbuminuria: A mere marker or an ominous sign?J Assoc Physicians India. 2016;64(3):61-65.Qin S, Wang A, Gu S, et al.Association between obesity and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio in the middle-aged and elderly population of Southern and Northern China: a cross-sectional study.BMJ Open. 2021;11(1):e040214. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040214Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic kidney disease in the United States.Denhez B, Geraldes P.Regulation of nephrin phosphorylation in diabetes and chronic kidney injury.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2017;966:149-161. doi:10.1007/5584_2017_62Shin JI, Chang AR, Grams ME, et al.CKD Prognosis Consortium. Albuminuria testing in hypertension and diabetes: An individual-participant data meta-analysis in a global consortium.Hypertension. 2021;78(4):1042-1052. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.121.17323National Kidney Foundation.Urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases.Albuminuria: albumin in the urine.Chen TK, Knicely DH, Grams ME.Chronic kidney disease diagnosis and management: a review.JAMA. 2019;322(13):1294-1304. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.14745
Tanaka S, Takase H, Dohi Y, Kimura G.The prevalence and characteristics of microalbuminuria in the general population: a cross-sectional study.BMC Res Notes. 2013;6:256. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-6-256
Waghmare P, Goswami K.Microalbuminuria: A mere marker or an ominous sign?J Assoc Physicians India. 2016;64(3):61-65.
Qin S, Wang A, Gu S, et al.Association between obesity and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio in the middle-aged and elderly population of Southern and Northern China: a cross-sectional study.BMJ Open. 2021;11(1):e040214. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040214
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic kidney disease in the United States.
Denhez B, Geraldes P.Regulation of nephrin phosphorylation in diabetes and chronic kidney injury.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2017;966:149-161. doi:10.1007/5584_2017_62
Shin JI, Chang AR, Grams ME, et al.CKD Prognosis Consortium. Albuminuria testing in hypertension and diabetes: An individual-participant data meta-analysis in a global consortium.Hypertension. 2021;78(4):1042-1052. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.121.17323
National Kidney Foundation.Urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR).
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases.Albuminuria: albumin in the urine.
Chen TK, Knicely DH, Grams ME.Chronic kidney disease diagnosis and management: a review.JAMA. 2019;322(13):1294-1304. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.14745
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