27 years old, T1 diabetic for 2 years. I was told that I have to do a 24 hour urine test to check for protein... I had 2 spot tests and the doctor said that the microalbumin levels came back as 20.9, with a reference range of 0.00 to 1.50.
What does the 20.9 mean? I can't seem to find this anywhere... I have no idea how elevated this is. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Protein in the urine is an indicator of kidney damage, especially when dealing with people with diabetes. The actual amount is not necessarily indicative of how well your kidneys are functioning. The best test is a 24 hour urine with accompanying blood work. And even there, one test alone doesn't say much although it will tell you if there is a problem. You use the first as a baseline and then get them done a couple of times per year as a reference. Keep in mind that the levels may go up and down depending on a lot of factors like hydration and illness.
As for the protein,for example, even when I had serious kidney damage, I never spilled that much protein. It was the other blood work that was important.
Let us know when your results come back and ask any questions you like.
I really appreciate your reply. Its a bit overwhelming to think I may have kidney damage just after 2 years of having diabetes. Unfortunately, I am subject to student health insurance so am at the mercy of the (incompetent) health center PA, who wasn't really able to explain the test results (from the spot tests). Hopefully I'll have more answers after I get the results from the 24 hour.
27 years old, T1 diabetic for 2 years. I was told that I have to do a 24 hour urine test to check for protein... I had 2 spot tests and the doctor said that the microalbumin levels came back as 20.9, with a reference range of 0.00 to 1.50.
What does the 20.9 mean? I can't seem to find this anywhere... I have no idea how elevated this is. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Hi breck:
I am dealing with this now. I am 53 yrs old and Type II diabetes. My doctor put me on Altace to protect the kidneys from further damage. I was really bummed and still am. I just found this out this week. I was diagnosed in 2005 and thought holy cow, this is just too soon to be happening. My numbers have not been over 200 but my AIC was 7.7. I just have a lot going on inside. You take care!
I also have CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), Lymphedema, Hypothyroidism, Peripheral Nueropathy.
I just wanted to add that it can take a very, very long time before you need any sort of intervention. I was first diagnosed with protein in my urine in 1979 and didn't go on dialysis until late 2001. In the meantime, take good care of your blood sugars and consider going on a low protein diet. Protein is very hard on the kidneys.
Feel free to post any other questions and good luck.
I got the results of the 24-hr urine test. My microalbumin:Creatinine Ratio was 195. (Normal <30), and Microalbumin 160 (Normal <21). I've been going to the University Health Center (go student insurance..) and they've been making me see a PA, since she is the only one that "deals with diabetics." RIGHT. She wants to start me on ACE inhibitors... Which I don't want to do unless I get more information about what is going on, and since I don't feel she has the expertise to be dealing with this, I plan on asking for a referral. I am not sure whether to see an endocrinologist, or a nephrologist? Would an endo suffice, or is a nephrologist the way to go?
Are there other possible reasons for elevations this high? I have had T1 diabetes for only 2 years, have had good control, am a vegetarian, run 20 miles/week. C'est la vie, eh?
