I am a new diabetic. I have had diabetes for about 5 months. My initial microalbumin was 90 and yesterday it was 85. Everything I read online says that it is an earlier indicator of kidney damage but my doctor was unconcerned and said that it was because I am getting my sugars under control. But they are already under control with my most recent A1C being 5.6 and I was 8.5 at diagnosis (by no means extreme). He said he will retest me in 2011 and it should progressively get lower. Should I be nervous? What do you guys think? Everything says under 30 is normal.
Hi Rich,
Anything under 30 is considered normal/good. I’m no kidney expert, but 85-90 seems too high to “not worry about”. Maybe your levels will come down, but I doubt that they would drop that much. You might want to ask for an analysis of a 24-hr sample. They give you a jug that you have to collect all your urine for a full day, then they check that for microalbumin. That gives a better indication of how your kidneys are doing.
Typically, T1 diabetics are put on blood pressure meds to help with kidney function. There are plenty of diabetics who have been put on such meds, even without spilling high levels of microalbumin. Sort of a preventative measure, like taking aspirin for one’s heart.
One other thing. Did you exercise intensely, prior to having the test? Exercise can temporarily raise your numbers. I kept getting false negatives like that because I would ride my bike to the clinic, then get tested. The numbers were always higher that way, than if I had driven and not had the exercise. Just something to consider.
I’d suggest not waiting around too long for another test. Better to catch and stop the damage early, than to wait and wait and wait.
Good luck and cheers, Mike
Nice work on that A1C!
According to the American Diabetes Association Standards of Care Guidelines for diabetes, a microalbuminuria test should be performed annually for people living with diabetes. Normal is <30 ug/mg; Small amount is 30-299 ug/mg.
With your A1C progress and reduction in protein in the urine from your first test to your second, that may be why your doctor is taking a “wait and see” approach—especially if your blood pressure is on-target. If it bothers you, call the doc and/or seek a second opinion.
As Mike mentions, if you’re on an ACE-inhibitor or ARB for blood pressure control, you’re also getting some protective benefits for your kidneys.
Again, nice work on the A1C. You’ve obviously shown real improvement and should be proud!
My blood pressure was excellent 100 over 70 and I didn’t exercise at all before hand. I’m concerned about the potential kidney problems but he wasn’t concerned at all.
Its just scary when you see under 30 is recommended and I am at 90…I’m surprised my doctor brushed it off as no big deal.
Thanks! But I am still nervous