Kidney Biomarker
Collection Type: Urine
Related System: Kidney
Albuminuria is the abnormal presence of the blood protein albumin in urine, reflecting increased permeability of the glomerular filtration barrier or impaired tubular reabsorption. The test measures urinary albumin excretion—commonly reported as a spot urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) or as albumin excreted per day—to detect early kidney damage. Persistent albuminuria suggests kidney disease (for example diabetic kidney disease, hypertensive nephropathy, glomerulonephritis), and is a marker of cardiovascular risk. Symptoms prompting testing include swelling (edema), foamy urine, uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, or reduced urine output; however albuminuria is often asymptomatic. Results vary with age, sex (creatinine correction), muscle mass, pregnancy and acute illnesses.
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Symptom Checker<30 mg/day OR ACR <30 mg/g (<3 mg/mmol)
Q: What can cause albuminuria?
A: Albuminuria can result from kidney damage or increased glomerular permeability due to diabetes, high blood pressure, glomerulonephritis, autoimmune disease, infections, and certain medications (NSAIDs, some antibiotics, chemotherapy). It also occurs in heart failure, obesity, pregnancy-related preeclampsia, and transiently after heavy exercise, fever, or orthostatic proteinuria. Persistent albuminuria suggests chronic kidney disease and needs medical evaluation.
Q: How do you reduce albuminuria?
A: To reduce albuminuria: control blood pressure and blood sugar; take prescribed ACE inhibitors or ARBs; limit salt and excess dietary protein; maintain healthy weight, exercise, and quit smoking; manage cholesterol; avoid long-term NSAIDs; and monitor urine albumin regularly. Treat and follow up for underlying conditions (diabetes, kidney disease) with your healthcare team.
Q: Can albuminuria be reversed?
A: Yes—albuminuria is often partially or even fully reversible when detected early. Tight blood pressure and blood sugar control (including ACE inhibitors/ARBs and SGLT2 inhibitors), dietary salt reduction, weight loss, smoking cessation and treating underlying causes can lower or normalize urine albumin. Advanced kidney scarring is less reversible, so regular testing and prompt medical management are essential.
Q: How to get rid of albumin in urine?
A: Albuminuria treatment focuses on addressing the cause and limiting kidney damage: tightly control blood pressure (often with ACE inhibitors or ARBs), manage blood glucose, reduce dietary salt (and protein only if advised), maintain healthy weight, quit smoking, exercise, and treat infections or other underlying conditions. Regular monitoring and specialist referral are important. Follow your healthcare provider’s plan; medications plus lifestyle changes can lower albuminuria.
Q: Is albuminuria life threatening?
A: Albuminuria itself is not usually immediately life‑threatening, but it indicates kidney damage and increases risk of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular events. Persistent or heavy albuminuria can lead to progressive kidney failure or complications that become life‑threatening if untreated. Early evaluation and treatment of underlying causes (eg, diabetes, hypertension), appropriate medications, and monitoring can reduce risks—see a clinician if albumin is detected.
Q: What is the first line treatment for albuminuria?
A: First-line treatment for albuminuria is tight blood pressure control with an angiotensin‑converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), which reduce albumin excretion and slow kidney damage. Concurrent measures include optimizing blood glucose in diabetes, salt restriction, weight control and cardiovascular risk management. SGLT2 inhibitors are increasingly added for persistent albuminuria alongside ACEi/ARB.