Microalbumin in urine

Small changes in your urine are often nearly impossible to detect without a urine test. But these irregularities can be early warning signs of underlying health conditions. Microalbuminuria is one example of an often invisible change that can have significant implications. This condition occurs when the body excretes small amounts of the protein albumin through the urine [1].

Microalbuminuria may not sound alarming, but it’s often one of the first signs of kidney damage [1]. Discover common causes of this condition, symptoms, and the urine microalbumin normal range.

What Is Urine Microalbumin?

Albumin is a type of protein that circulates through the bloodstream. Normal functioning kidneys ensure that most albumin molecules stay in your body by filtering them out of the bloodstream and sending them through the renal tubes to get reabsorbed [1].

However, malfunctioning kidneys don’t filter the blood properly and allow excessive amounts of this protein to leak into the urine. Microalbuminuria is a condition that occurs when the body excretes more than 100 mg of albumin every 12 hours or 300 mg every 24 hours [1].

Causes of Microalbumin in Urine

Microalbuminuria is a symptom of an underlying disease causing kidney damage, such as:

• Diabetic Nephropathy: Diabetes can cause progressive damage to the nephrons, which are tiny units in the kidneys that filter blood. These weakening filters often start leaking albumin in urine years before other symptoms of diabetic kidney disease appear [2].
• Hypertension: Microalbuminuria can be a sign of hypertension, also known as chronically high blood pressure [3].
• Preeclampsia: Research suggests microalbuminuria can be an early indication of preeclampsia. This dangerous condition occurs when pregnant women develop hypertension [4].

Symptoms of Microalbumin in Urine

Microalbumin in urine typically causes no symptoms. However, people with diabetes may exhibit these signs [1]:

• Cardiac disease
• Swelling in the ankles and feet
• Urinary tract infections
• Vision problems

Testing for Microalbumin in Urine

Healthcare providers can detect this condition by performing a urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) test. The muscles naturally excrete creatinine, and the body sheds this waste product in urine. Comparing the ratio of microalbumin and creatinine allows doctors to identify abnormal levels of albumin excretion relative to creatinine [5].