You cannot know for sure. However, certain things can make it more likely. High blood pressure can make diabetic kidney disease worse, and it can also cause kidney problems on its own. Microalbuminuria is the first sign of diabetic kidney disease. 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 microalbuminuria.
Routine urine analysis does not detect microalbuminuria. Everyone with diabetes who is between 12 and 70 years of age should have a urine test for microalbuminuria at least once a year. If positive, this should be reconfirmed on a second urine specimen. In a single urine specimen, a level of more than 30 mg of albumin per gram of creatinine is considered positive. Some other conditions, such as essential hypertension, can also cause albuminuria.