Comprehensive Diabetes Panel
2.300 RSD
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Microalbumin in 24-Hour Urine
The microalbumin test in 24-hour urine is a key diagnostic tool used to detect early signs of kidney damage, particularly in individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Albumin is a protein normally present in the blood, and its presence in urine can indicate kidney issues. This test is part of the standard services offered by IntroLab, a private laboratory in Belgrade.
What is Microalbumin?
Microalbumin refers to small quantities of albumin. Healthy kidneys prevent albumin from entering the urine. However, when the kidneys are damaged, this protein can pass through and appear in the urine, a condition known as microalbuminuria.
Why is Measuring Microalbumin in 24-Hour Urine Important?
Measuring microalbumin in 24-hour urine is crucial as it can be an early indicator of kidney damage in individuals with diabetes or hypertension. This test is typically part of the annual check-up for people with these chronic conditions. Additionally, it can be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatments in those already diagnosed with microalbuminuria.
How is the Test Performed?
The test for microalbumin in 24-hour urine requires a urine sample collected over a 24-hour period. No special preparations are needed, but it is essential to collect the sample correctly. Results are usually available within one working day.
How are the Results Interpreted?
The results should be interpreted in the context of the overall clinical picture, including symptoms, medical history, and the results of the biochemical urine analysis. It is important to note that the absence of microalbumin in the urine is not clinically significant. However, its presence, especially in higher amounts, may indicate kidney damage.
IntroLab Laboratory in Vračar is committed to providing high-quality laboratory services, including the microalbumin test in 24-hour urine. If you have any questions about this or any other test, please feel free to contact us. We are here to support you on your journey to better health.
Sample and preparation: Microalbumin in 24-Hour Urine
- Sample
- 24-Hour Urine
- Sampling
- Urine collection
- Result in
- 1 day
- Preparation
- Prepare a container for collecting 24-hour urine (determine if one or more 2-liter bottles are needed). Discard the first morning urine (do not pour it into the container). Collect all other urine portions throughout the day and night in the container. Add the first morning urine of the next day to the container and deliver the entire amount of urine to the laboratory for analysis. For certain tests, a preservative needs to be added to the container first – ask the laboratory for instructions on this procedure.
- Category
- Urine analysis
Frequently asked questions
How is 24-hour urine collected for a microalbumin test?
For the microalbumin in 24-hour urine test, discard the first morning urine, then collect all urine passed during the day and night in a 2-liter bottle (more bottles if needed). Add the first morning urine of the next day to the bottle and bring the entire sample to IntroLab laboratory. For some tests, a preservative is first added to the bottle, so check the procedure with the laboratory. The test costs 1,000 RSD, and results are ready in 1 day.
What does high microalbumin in urine mean?
High microalbumin in urine may be an early sign of kidney damage, because healthy kidneys do not let albumin pass into the urine. This condition is called microalbuminuria and is especially important in people with diabetes and high blood pressure, who usually have the test once a year. Larger amounts in particular may indicate kidney damage. Microalbumin in 24-hour urine results from IntroLab laboratory are interpreted by a doctor, alongside symptoms and other urine tests.
Is low microalbumin in urine a problem?
No. The absence of microalbumin in urine has no clinical significance, because healthy kidneys keep albumin in the blood and do not let it pass into the urine. What matters is the presence of microalbumin, especially in larger amounts, because it may indicate kidney damage. That is why the microalbumin in 24-hour urine test at IntroLab laboratory is most often used for regular check-ups of people with diabetes or hypertension and for monitoring treatment in diagnosed microalbuminuria.
Is microalbumin measured in blood?
No. Albumin is a protein normally found in the blood, so microalbumin is not measured in blood but in urine. What matters is whether albumin appears in the urine, because that may be a sign that the kidneys are letting this protein through. At IntroLab laboratory, microalbumin is measured from urine collected over 24 hours, and the result, together with other tests, is interpreted by a doctor.
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