Diabetes: Urine Tests
Introduction
Urine tests are often given to people with diabetes to check for
diabetes-related kidney disease and severe hypoglycemia.
Testing for Diabetic Kidney Disease
Diabetic kidney problems occur in about 20%-40% of all people with
diabetes. However, with early and intensive control of blood sugars, blood
pressure and the use of certain medications, the development and the progression
of kidney problems can be slowed.
To check for kidney problems, your health care provider can perform a urine
test that measures the amount of protein in your urine, called microalbuminuria.
Microalbuminuria occurs when small, yet abnormal, amounts of albumin (the main
protein in your blood) leak into your urine. Without treatment to slow the
leakage of protein, kidney
failure may develop.
This test should be performed every year, starting when you are diagnosed
with type 2 diabetes. This is because diabetes is actually present many years
before the diagnosis.
If you have type 1 diabetes, this test often isn't performed until you've had
the diagnosis for five years.
What Happens If the Microalbuminuria is Positive?
If the test is positive, it indicates that the blood vessels to your
kidneys are damaged. It also reflects more widespread blood vessel disease that
can increase your risk of heart problems. Therefore your doctor will take the
following steps:
- Give medications to slow kidney damage. Your health care provider
may recommend starting specific medicines to prevent further damage to your
blood vessels and kidneys. If the microalbumin level is very high, your
doctor may recommend that you have another type of urine test that involves
you collecting your urine for 24 hours to more accurately determine the
extent of damage to your kidneys and see how well they are working.
- Offer more aggressive diabetes treatment. In addition, studies
show that tight control of your blood sugar can significantly decrease
kidney damage, so your health care provider may recommend more aggressive
treatment of your diabetes.
- Better blood pressure control. Controlling your blood pressure
has also been shown to reduce the risk of kidney damage related to diabetes.
It is important that your blood pressure be checked each time you have an
office visit. The recommended goal for blood pressure control in people with
diabetes is less than 130/80.
Next: Urine testing for severe hyper glycemia »
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