I have type 2 diabetes and for 7 years controlling via diet/exercise only. A1c 6.2, higher than it has been. It is up from previous 5.7.

Thought I was in good control but now there is protein in the urine and told to reduce carbs and calories more. I already have a low-carb/calorie diet, however, thought I was getting away with a little starch here and there the past 6 months, apparently I was not.

Doctor wants me to do a 24 hr. urine test in 3 months after a more
strict diet. The doctor prefers I continue controlling via diet/exercise. Depending on what the test results are he may increase my current blood pressure medication Diovan 160/25 to help protect kidneys more.

The doctor's response was:

There are very impressive studies that show that reducing "sodium" intake to
below 1500 mg a day or even lower may be one of the best ways to reduce protein in the urine. It is a marker that there is kidney damage going on even at my blood pressure. Told me to work on the diet hard over the next 3 months *DASH and hopefully the urine protein will be better. I may still need an ACE or ARB to try to reduce protein further.

Thought others would be interested in knowing that reducing sodium may help protect the kidneys.

Sodium helps with both blood pressure and reduce stress on the kidneys - they won't have to work so hard. Another way to reduce stress on the kidneys is to reduce protein. You would need to talk to a renal dietitian first, though, to see what your requirements actually are. They will determine this through the 24 hour urine test with blood work.

Cora