Diabetes is a very common cause of kidney failure. Studies have shown that identifying diabetics in the very early stages of kidney disease by demonstrating microalbuminuria helps patients and doctors adjust treatment. With better diabetic control and better control of other complications, such as high blood pressure, the progression of diabetic kidney disease can be slowed or prevented.

Microalbumin should be requested when a person is first diagnosed with diabetes. After that, all are usually screened annually for microalbuminuria. When significant levels of microalbumin have been found, the test may be done more frequently.

Moderately increased microalbumin levels in urine indicate that a person is in one of the very early phases of developing kidney disease. Very high levels are an indication that kidney disease is present in a more severe form. Normal very low levels are an indication that kidney function is normal.

Microalbumin can be reported in several different ways:

1. Microalbumin levels in a random urine sample.
2. Microalbumin and creatinine levels in a random urine or timed urine sample, reported as the ratio microalbumin/creatinine.
3. Microalbumin in a 24-hour urine sample reported as microalbumin excreted per day.

Recently, studies have shown that in Type II diabetics, an abnormal microalbumin result indicates an increased risk of developing heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) complications.