Microalbumin Urine Test

What To Think About

• The Canadian Diabetes Association recommends a microalbumin urine test for people with:
  • Type 2 diabetes: first at diagnosis and then yearly for diabetic nephropathy.
  • Type 1 diabetes: yearly screening for diabetic nephropathy should begin 3 to 5 years after diagnosis.
• If a microalbumin urine test shows that kidney damage may be present, a test to check creatinine levels may be done. A blood test for creatinine is done along with a 24-hour creatinine clearance urine test to check kidney function. For more information, see the medical test Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance.
• A less precise test, the urine dipstick test, can be used to check for microalbuminuria in a single sample of urine. However, the dipstick test does not accurately detect microalbuminuria and is not recommended in place of a microalbumin urine test.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: April 12, 2007
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.