Albumin And Creatinine Testing

[Jenny15]

At my last GP visit there were a number of urgent matters to deal with and I didn't get a chance to ask about one of my abnormal lab tests. The same thing will happen tomorrow at my DN visit.

So, if anyone is able to tell me (in general) what elevated urine microalbumin may mean I'd be grateful. Same with an increased alb/creat ratio. Context of high BG, if that helps.

Thanks

 

[Jenny15]

OK I did a search. These tests indicate possible kidney function issues that may be diabetes or hypertension related, or related to a UTI or something else. I will discuss them with my DN.

Feeling a bit disappointed. I hope it's able to be resolved, and soon.

 

[Crocodile]

Did you have any proteins present. I routinely get borderline Creat and eGFR returned that sends alarms off. But when my history is looked at they have been the same for at least 20 years. Maybe I'm just built that way. GP doesn't panic about my kidneys anymore because creat is always between 100 - 125 for yonks. Would help to look at this in the historical context. If it has been gradually getting worse over time they unfortunately don't flag it until it reaches a reference point. Good luck with it anyway.

 

[Jenny15]

Did you have any proteins present. I routinely get borderline Creat and eGFR returned that sends alarms off. But when my history is looked at they have been the same for at least 20 years. Maybe I'm just built that way. GP doesn't panic about my kidneys anymore because creat is always between 100 - 125 for yonks. Would help to look at this in the historical context. If it has been gradually getting worse over time they unfortunately don't flag it until it reaches a reference point. Good luck with it anyway.

Thanks. It's not usually elevated. Has crept up once or twice in 9 years but I have a feeling this time the elevated result is much higher than before. Basically there's nothing I can do about it right now. When I see the DN I'll try to find out more but I suspect she will say the only answer is to keep trying to achieve BG control. It just came at the end of 3 difficult days in a row of physical and emotional turmoil thanks to my body not tolerating Lantus, during a holiday weekend when I couldn't call my DN. I need a different insulin, not going off insulin, too (since some people love to exploit any post of mine if they can stick the knife in about my choices for my body, which, interestingly enough, isn't theirs. LOL.)

I'm sure I will feel better tomorrow. Thanks for you post, it's nice to know you care.

 

[Jenny15]

Did you have any proteins present. I routinely get borderline Creat and eGFR returned that sends alarms off. But when my history is looked at they have been the same for at least 20 years. Maybe I'm just built that way. GP doesn't panic about my kidneys anymore because creat is always between 100 - 125 for yonks. Would help to look at this in the historical context. If it has been gradually getting worse over time they unfortunately don't flag it until it reaches a reference point. Good luck with it anyway.

Hi @Crocodile good news since I last posted here. I managed to get time with my GP and DN today to ask about these tests and also to ask my GP if he thinks my electrolytes should be tested atm, since I couldn't see any results for them in the last year on the computer system I can access from home. He was happy to order all these and some other tests just to check everything out.

I asked about the renal tests and he agreed that they're likely affected by my high BGs and slightly higher BP than normal. He also thinks they "should" improve along with those measures, obviously with the caveat that it's based on what we know at this point.

I'm pretty happy with the care I'm getting from GP and DN right now. Wish everyone was so lucky, of course.

 

[Crocodile]

@Jenny15
That's good news. Can't be too careful about kidneys with both diabetes and BP at the same time. I too have a great GP. Makes a massive difference.
Glenn