The more out of control the blood sugar is over time, the more likely kidney damage is to occur. People with diabetes may even benefit from having blood pressure that is lower than normal. In addition, materials that can damage the kidneys should be avoided if possible. Any urinary tract infections should be treated with antibiotics. People should also be careful to keep themselves properly hydrated by drinking enough fluids.
Urine testing is done in healthy people with diabetes to screen for diabetic nephropathy.
These tests generally shows increased amounts of protein in the urine if diabetes has damaged the kidneys. Sometimes, the urine is collected over a 24-hour period to get a more exact measurement of the amount of kidney damage. If kidney damage is severe, blood tests will show decreased kidney function. A kidney biopsy may be done to evaluate the amount of kidney damage. This involves inserting a special needle through the skin and into the kidney.