Microalbuminuria

Microalbuminuria is the presence of small amounts of albumin (a type of protein) in the urine. It can be an important early indicator of kidney disease, as albumin is normally present in the bloodstream rather than the urine. It can also be a sign of diabetes and other conditions that affect the circulation, such as high blood pressure. By monitoring levels of albumin in the urine, doctors can detect the early stages of kidney disease before the patient starts to experience symptoms. Treatment of the underlying causes of microalbuminuria can prevent it from progressing to more serious kidney damage.