Insulin Sensitivity And Its Adverse Effects
December 9, 2021
Neurological Disorders Associated With Diabetes
December 9, 2021
Albuminuria Syndrome, simply called albuminuria is indicative of kidney disease. It refers to the presence of excessive amounts of albumin in urine – hence the name albuminuria. Albumin is a type of protein that is normally present in your blood, but it does not enter into urine under normal circumstances. When there is damage to the kidneys, some amount of the protein enters urine and this is one of the earliest indicators of kidney disease. As albumin is a type of protein, the condition is also described as proteinuria.
Albuminuria In Diabetes
Proteinuria or albuminuria in diabetes is not uncommon and is usually associated with diabetes that is poorly controlled. It develops as a result of long-term hyperglycaemia or hypertension, which is also common in patients who suffer from diabetes.
Symptoms Of Albuminuria
As kidney damage occurs slowly over a period of time, the symptoms of albuminuria may not be noticeable until the kidneys have suffered considerable damage. This is because kidney damage progresses slowly and low levels of albumin in protein will usually produce no visible symptoms. It is only when damage to the kidneys is advanced and levels of albumin in urine are high that symptoms of albuminuria begin to surface. These can include swelling of the:
- Ankles
- Hands
- Abdomen
- Face
How Is Albuminuria Diagnosed?
Once kidney damage is significant, the condition may not be reversible, and this is when symptoms tend to surface. This is why it is extremely important for anyone with diabetes to undergo regular screening tests to check kidney function. This will allow an early diagnosis of albuminuria, before symptoms appear. In order to diagnose the condition, doctors will recommend urine tests and these can include:
Dipstick Test For Albumin
This is a simple urine test in which a lab technician or nurse immerses a dipstick, which is a piece of chemically treated paper, into the urine sample. If albumin is present in the urine, the paper changes color.
Albumin & Creatinine Measurement
Creatinine is a waste product that is filtered and eliminated from the body by the kidneys through urine. By measuring levels of both albumin and creatinine in urine, healthcare providers can use the ratio of albumin to creatinine to determine how much albumin is excreted in a 24-hour period.
- In men, a normal reading of albumin levels would be 2.5 mg/mmol or less
- In women, a normal reading of albumin levels would be 3.5 mg/mmol or less
Treating Albuminuria In Diabetes Patients
If your doctors find that levels of albumin are higher than normal, they can prescribe medications to help lower the levels of albumin urine. These medications typically include ACE inhibitors (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors) and ARBs (angiotensin-receptor blockers) that can help to treat high blood pressure and also prevent kidney failure. In addition, doctors may also prescribe diuretic medications to treat fluid accumulation that causes swelling of the ankles, hands, abdomen, or face.
Lifestyle interventions play an equally important role in dealing with albuminuria, which is why patients are also advised to work closely with registered dietitians to make customized meal plans and diet changes. This can help with weight loss if required and is also aimed at reducing the intake of sugar and sodium or salt. A dietitian can also provide you with guidance on the appropriate amount of protein and the right protein choices to include in your diet.
The Outlook
Treatment goals and effectiveness can vary depending on the severity of the condition and extent of kidney damage. In some cases, long term kidney damage may be prevented, while in others treatment is aimed at preventing albuminuria from worsening to limit further kidney damage. Failure to diagnose and deal with albuminuria early can lead to a worsening of kidney disease that will eventually make dialysis or kidney transplantation the only viable options.
