Albuminuria is the first sign of diabetic kidney disease. Kidney disease is one of the most serious complications of diabetes. Eventually, the kidneys may fail completely so that a person with the disease needs dialysis or a kidney transplant. It can be measured by a specific urine test, either on a single urine specimen, or on a 24-hour urine collection.
Any doctor can test for albuminuria.
Routine urine analysis does not detect albuminuria. Everyone with Type I and Type II diabetes who is between 12 and 70 years of age should have a urine test for albuminuria at least once a year. If positive, the result should be confirmed by a second urine test. In a single urine specimen, a level of more than 30 mg of albumin per gram of creatinine is considered positive. If the test is done during periods of illness, heavy exercise, urinary tract infections or poor blood glucose control, it may show a positive result.