Kidney Health

The Kidney Health test detects very small increases in the level of blood protein (albumin) in urine. This is known as microalbuminuria (MAU) which occurs when the kidney leaks small amounts of albumin into the urine. Increased excretion of albumin is used to detect early signs of kidney damage in people who are at risk of developing kidney disease, such as those with diabetes or high blood pressure.

Healthy kidneys filter waste from your blood and retain the healthy components, including proteins such as albumin. Kidney damage can cause proteins to leak through your kidneys and exit your body in your urine. Albumin is one of the first proteins to leak when kidneys become damaged.

When your kidneys are damaged, waste products and fluid can build up in your body. That can cause swelling in your ankles, nausea, weakness, poor sleep and shortness of breath. Without treatment, the damage can get worse and your kidneys may eventually stop working. That’s serious and can be life-threatening.