In this modern world, everyone is keen on keeping their health under control. For which, even medical experts are trying to give out as much information as possible to help you take the necessary precautions. But to be aware of certain medical conditions, you must first know about the specific diagnostic tests that are responsible for determining any potential health issues that you experience.
One such diagnostic measure is a microalbumin test (MAU)! This is the test that detects the potential leakage of albumin, a protein in your body, into your urine. Ultimately, this test will help specify if your kidney is functioning in the way it should or has been affected by some disease.
For you to better understand, albumin is responsible for the growth of healthy tissues and for supporting healing. But, when it starts to leak into the urine, this indicates the start of a serious problem. Microalbumin urine test is the right approach for doctors and patients to seek clarity on the status of their kidney health.
So, let’s take this article forward and give you a glimpse at what the microalbumin test actually is and why it is an important diagnostic measure.
What is the Significance of the Microalbumin Test?
If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other such conditions, your doctors might just recommend you take a microalbumin test on an annual basis. But, you might also be asked to take this test if your doctor suspects any potential kidney damage or disease that you have been suffering from or might incur in the future.
A microalbumin test is nothing but a urine diagnosis, which will help the laboratory experts determine the level of albumin protein that’s leaked into your urine. You must know albumin is found mostly in the blood, as its key role is to support the growth of cells and heal the tissues. But, when it is found in urine, this might indicate a form of kidney malfunction.
To help you understand the science, keep in mind that the kidneys in the human body are responsible for filtering out all the waste products from your blood. Following that, it regulates the levels of water fluid within your body. When your kidneys are at the best of their health, they will make sure that every waste is being filtered out from the body and allow only the healthy proteins and nutrients to stay back.
Albumin is one of such healthy proteins that must be present in your body and blood. But, if kidneys are unable to recognize albumin as a healthy protein and aren’t keeping it within your blood, it technically concludes some internal issues. This condition, where the kidney sends albumin as a waste material to the urine, is called albuminuria.
When do Doctors Feel the Necessity for Prescribing Microalbumin Test?
Your doctor will consider recommending the microalbumin test if they find out you are a potential candidate to experience or might have been affected by some form of kidney damage. Some of the symptoms that hint to the doctors that you are suffering from potential albuminuria or kidney problems include:
- Foamy urine.
- Frequent urination, more than what you usually do.
- Swelling in your ankles, face, belly, or feet.
- Puffiness around the eyes.
Beyond this, the doctors might also assess any other medical condition and feel the necessity to diagnose your kidneys. Doctors would intend to diagnose your albuminuria condition at the earliest, to treat the kidneys before they get completely damaged. With the right treatment, you can expect kidney diseases to be put on halt or prevented completely.
Hypertension and diabetes are considered the most evident reasons for triggering kidney problems. If you have been diagnosed with either one of these conditions, your doctor might request you to take the microalbumin test on priority.
What is the Purpose of Conducting the Microalbumin Test?
The purpose of a microalbumin or urine albumin test is to measure the levels of albumin present in your urine. This test is approached in accordance with the creatinine test for determining the albumin-creatinine ratio. For you to better understand, creatinine is the waste product in your blood that is supposed to be removed by your kidneys.
In case your kidney is damaged, the creatinine levels in your urine will be reduced, and the albumin levels will continue to increase. It is like the waste products are being preserved, while the healthy protein is being eradicated from the body. So, to attain complete results, it becomes important for the doctors to determine the urine albumin creatinine ratio. This will tell the intensity of damage that the kidney has borne.
How Often Should One Take the Microalbumin Test?
Depending on what underlying medical conditions you are already experiencing, your frequency of taking the microalbumin test can be decided.
In the case of diabetes, you must get done with the microalbumin test once every year. It is mostly because diabetes tends to damage your kidneys in various ways. In case the results come back positive, the doctors will help heal the kidneys and improve their function at the earliest.
Apart from that, if you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, you will be asked to take this test once or twice a year. But, depending on the severity of your high blood pressure symptoms and problems, you might be asked to take this test more frequently in a year. High blood pressure is often responsible for damaging the kidney vessels, which leads to the release of albumin into urine.
Is There Anything to Take Note of for Being Prepared for this Test?
The microalbumin test is nothing too complex, as it is just like the simple urine test. So, you don’t have to be cautious about what you eat or drink the day before the test. There is no special preparation required for the same!
How is the Microalbumin Test Approached?
A urine sample is collected from the patient and sent to the laboratory for testing to determine the albumin-to-creatinine ratio. But, the urine sample is collected from the patients in various ways, such as:
- Random Sample: A random urine sample is collected from the patient at any time throughout the day.
- Timed Urine Sample: In this method, a urine sample is collected from the patient after a specific time interval, as suggested by the doctor.
- 24-Hour Method: In this method, your doctor will provide you with a container and will ask you to store your urine sample in the refrigerator for more than 24 hours and then return the same to the specific lab.
Also Read: Overhydration and Kidney Health How Excessive Water Intake Can Impact Kidney Function
What Does the Results Signify for the Microalbumin Test?
The test results associated with the Microalbumin test are signified as stated below:
- If the albumin protein level is less than 30mg in your urine, then the condition is normal.
- If the albumin protein level ranges between 30 to 300mg, you are suffering from microalbuminuria, and it might be a sign of kidney disease.
- If the albumin levels are reported to be more than 300mg, then it indicates a severe kidney disease.
Conclusion
Now that you know what microalbumin test is and why it is recommended for diverse patients, you must keep yourself aware enough to recognize the symptoms and connect with your doctors immediately. Taking microalbumin tests is considered mandatory for people with diabetes and high blood pressure at frequent intervals.
Irrespective of whether it is your specified routine requirement or a symptom-based urgent assessment, if your doctors have prescribed you an MAU test, go ahead and book your appointment with us at Agilus right away!
Agilus is your one-stop diagnostics clinic that operates with the utmost professionalism to help determine accurate test results for your given samples. To know more, connect with us today!
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
