NEW MICROALBUMINURIA

As part of the annual review for diabetes, you are asked to provide a urine specimen which looks for small amounts of protein. Your sample shows that protein is present and this is called Microalbuminuria

Microalbuminuria is a very early sign of diabetic kidney disease and over months or years may go away, persist or worsen. The reason for picking this up is that there are things that you can do to improve the condition and limit its progression

These are:

1 Start an ACE inhibitor medication– unless there is a specific reason or contraindication, we advise starting an ace inhibitor tablet such as Ramipril. 

ACE inhibitors work by reducing the amount of a chemical called angiotensin II that you make in your bloodstream. This chemical tends to narrow (constrict) blood vessels. Therefore, less of this chemical causes the blood vessels to relax and widen and so the pressure of blood within the blood vessels is reduced.

ACE inhibitors are medicines that are often used to treat high blood pressure. However, the way they work also seems to have a protective effect on the kidneys and heart. This means that they help to prevent or delay the progression of the kidney disease.

2 Make sure that you have good blood pressure control by monitoring this at home if possible

3 Having good control of blood sugars as part of your diabetes management

4 Considering starting a statin if you’re not already on one

5 Follow sick day rules. If you are unwell, particularly with an illness causing dehydration, your kidneys may be at risk.  You may be advised to stop some of your medication such as ACE inhibitors and diuretics. Please discuss this at your next diabetic check or call for advice if you become unwell.

Please see the following for further information

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications/kidneys_nephropathy